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Dr. Marc D. Grynpas

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum
Research Institute
Mount Sinai Hospital
Joseph & Wolf Lebovic Health Complex
4-417 - 25 Orde Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 3H7

Mailing Address:
60 Murray Street
Box 42
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 3L9

Tel.: 416-586-4800 ext.4464

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► Lab Website

► Web of Science Researcher ID
E-4576-2013

► Publons ID
1639765

► Publications

  

Dr. Marc D. Grynpas

SENIOR INVESTIGATOR

Osteoporosis, a disease of porous bone, is a major health problem facing our aging population. Characterized by low bone mass and tissue deterioration, this disease leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. Hip fractures are the most common, and the most alarming. In 1993, there were more than 17,000 osteoporosis-related hip fractures, 50 per cent leading to disability and 20 per cent resulting in death within a year -- a number that is expected to rise. With one in four women suffering from osteoporosis, the cost of treating it and its associated fractures tops more than $1.9 billion in Canada.

Dr. Marc Grynpas, a Senior Investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, has focused his career on developing new insights into the factors that contribute to bone loss, which leads to osteoporosis. His research into bone loss, which ultimately asks the question, 'why do bones break?' will lead to better treatments and prevention for bone loss and will develop new therapeutic strategies to prevent bone fractures.

One of Dr. Grynpas' research efforts concentrates on the long-term effect of bisphosphonates, a family of drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, commonly in postmenopausal women. Dr. Grynpas is investigating the impact of these drugs on bones as well as their therapeutic use to prevent loosening of hip and knee implants. Building on that, the Grynpas lab is working to develop new biologic materials to replace current manufactured implants which have a limited life expectancy due to wear or loosening.

The Grynpas lab is also exploring some of the environmental factors that contribute to bone loss. One study has found that certain toxins found in cigarette tar causes bone loss in postmenopausal women, while another is studying whether or not lifelong ingestion of fluoride increases the risk of fractures in the elderly and why some people are more susceptible to fluoride effects than others.

At a Glance

Studies osteoporosis as a disease of porous bone

Investigates the environmental factors contributing to bone loss, and researches tissue engineering for orthopaedic implants

Current studies include: toxins found in cigarette tar causing bone loss in postmenopausal women; lifelong ingestion of fluoride increasing risk of fractures in the elderly; and a collaboration with United States Army to understand why healthy young women experience bone fatigue sooner than men

Major Research Activities

Dr. Grynpas has focused his research program on developing new insights into the factors that contribute to bone loss, which lead to osteoporosis. This interest has led him to investigate the mechanisms of bone remodeling and the impact of different regimens on the mechanical properties of bone. He is also interested in the effects of bisphosphonates on bone, role of environmental fluoride in the risk of fractures and cigarette smoking as a risk for osteoporosis.