A mathematical model of bone formation and resorption: Effect of calcitonin

Abstract

We propose here a nonlinear mathematical model of bone formation and resorption process accounting for the concentration of calcitonin, the population of osteoclastic cells, and that of the osteoblastic cells. Singular perturbation technique is then applied to the model in order to obtain the conditions on the system parameters for which a periodic solution exists. Numerical simulation of the model is also carried out. The result shows that the model can exhibit a periodic behavior which has been observed in the secretion pattern of calcitonin in normal individuals. The model is then modified to investigate the effects of estrogen and calcitonin treatments in osteoporosis patients.