[Correlation between degree of mineralization and collagen cross-links as determinants of bone quality].

Little is known about the correlation between degree of mineralization and collagen properties (enzymatic and non-enzymatic cross-links) in bone. In the patients with femoral neck fracture, not only the mineral embrittlement but also the qualitative changes in collagen cross-links were observed in both low and high mineralized bone fractions. These results suggest that this trend towards an increased loss of collagen quality may have led to accelerated increase of fragility in osteoporosis.