Smoking induces increased apoptosis in osteoblasts: changes in bone matrix organic components

Clinical studies demonstrate the impact of smoking on bone tissue fragility and higher incidence of fractures. However, it is not totally understood which physiological mechanisms could be involved in these events. Previously, we showed important changes in bone tissue components in experimental model of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. CS exposure induces worsening in bone mineralization and a decrease in collagen type I deposition, leading to bone fragility. Considering that the majority of clinical studies described bone structural changes by radiographic images, in this study we performed analyses “in situ” using tissue samples from smokers, former smokers and non-smokers to better understand how the increase in inflammatory mediators induced by smoking exposure could interfere in bone cells activity leading bone structural changes. We observed increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in bone tissue homogenates with a concomitant increase in osteoblast apoptosis in smokers and former smokers compared with non-smokers. Histological changes in both smokers and former smokers were characterized by reduction in collagen type I. Only in smokers, it was observed decrease in trabecular area, suggesting increased bone resorption and increase in collagen type V. These results showed that osteoblasts apoptosis in association with increased bone resorption leads bone structural changes in smokers.