Effect of osteoporosis medication on changes in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers after 24-month administration of daily teriparatide: comparison among minodronate, raloxifene, and eldecalcitol

New potential selective estrogen receptor modulators in traditional Chinese medicine for treating menopausal syndrome

Women go through several predictable conditions and symptoms during menopause that are caused by age, changes in sex hormone levels, and other factors. Conventional menopause hormone therapy has raised serious concerns about the increased risks of cancers, blood clots, depression, etc. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that can be both agonists and antagonists of estrogen receptors in a tissue-specific manner are being developed to reduce the health concerns associated with menopause hormone therapy. Here, we have searched the Chinese national traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patent database to identify potential SERM-like compounds with reduced health risks. TCM has been widely used for treating complex symptoms associated with menopause syndrome and thus can be a particularly rich source for pharmaceutical alternatives with SERM properties. After extensive literature review and molecular simulation, we conclude that protopanaxatriol, paeoniflorin, astragalin, catalpol, and hyperoside among others may be particularly promising as SERM-like compounds in treating the menopausal syndrome. Compounds in TCM hold promise in yielding comparable outcomes to hormone therapy but with reduced associated risks, thus presenting promising avenues for their clinical applications.

Osteoclast and Sclerostin Expression in Osteocytes in the Femoral Head with Risedronate Therapy in Patients with Hip Fractures: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Background and Objectives: The majority of research on the effects of osteoporosis drugs has measured the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and femur through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and compared and analyzed the effects of the drugs through changes in the BMD values. This study aims to compare osteoclast and sclerostin expression in osteocytes after risedronate therapy by obtaining femoral heads from patients with hip fractures. Materials and Methods: We obtained the femoral heads of 10 female patients (age: ≥65 years) who received risedronate therapy for at least 1 year through hip arthroplasty during 2019−2021 (risedronate group). Meanwhile, 10 patients who had never received osteoporosis treatment were selected as controls using propensity scores with age, body mass index, and bone density as covariates (control group). While the osteoclast count was evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, the sclerostin expression in osteocytes was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Moreover, Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for receptor activation of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), RANK, osteoprotegerin (OPG), sclerostin, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2). Results: TRAP staining revealed significantly more TRAP-positive cells in the control group (131.75 ± 27.16/mm2) than in the risedronate group (28.00 ± 8.12/mm2). Moreover, sclerostin-positive osteocytes were expressed more in the control group (364.12 ± 28.12/mm2) than in the risedronate group (106.93 ± 12.85/mm2). Western blotting revealed that the expressions of RANKL, RANK, sclerostin, and BMP2 were higher in the control group than in the risedronate group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, RANK, sclerostin, and OPG protein levels were higher in the control group than in the risedronate group. Conclusions: In this study, the risedronate group demonstrated lower osteoclast activity and sclerostin expression in osteocytes in the femoral head than the control group.

The clinical utility of TRACP-5b to monitor anti-resorptive treatments of osteoporosis

TRACP-5b can be used to monitor the response of treatments in osteoporosis. We investigated the effect of feeding on levels of TRACP-5b and how these markers perform in a clinical setting. After feeding, there was no effect on levels TRACP-5b. It has similar diagnostic accuracy to CTX and PINP.

INTRODUCTION

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) can be used to monitor response to osteoporosis treatment. However, some are affected by food intake and are not suitable to measure in a clinical setting. An assay is available which is capable of detecting the active isoform 5b of tartrate resistance acid phosphatase (TRACP-5b) and it may have minimal biological variation. Our aims were to investigate the effect of feeding on levels of TRACP-5b and compare this to CTX and PINP and then to compare the diagnostic accuracy of TRACP-5b to CTX and PINP in patients with osteoporosis given commonly used treatments.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were recruited to investigate the effect of feeding on BTMs. Ninety-seven patients (74 females and 23 males) receiving 5 mg annual intra-venous zoledronate (mean age 70) and 97 patients receiving no treatment were recruited as group-matched controls. Sixteen patients receiving 60 mg subcutaneous denosumab every 6 months, (mean age 76) and 16 matched controls were recruited. Seventy-six patients were receiving oral bisphosphonates: 70 mg alendronate weekly, 35 mg risedronate and 150 mg monthly ibandronate (4%). Thirty of these patients had BMD measured at the total hip and lumbar spine. An estimate of compliance was not determined. Eighty patients receiving no treatment were recruited as group-matched controls. TRACP-5b (ELISA, Nittobo) and CTX and PINP were measured in serum in the non-fasting state between 0800 and 1700.

RESULTS

After feeding, there was no effect on levels TRACP-5b and significant reductions in CTX and PINP, 29% and 10%, respectively (p < 0.001). In the zoledronate and denosumab groups, there were no differences in the areas under the curves (AUCs) between TRACP-5b, PINP and CTX. In the oral bisphosphonates group, the AUCs between TRACP-5b and PINP and TRACP-5b and CTX were significantly different, p < 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively. TRACP-5b was negatively correlated with BMD.

CONCLUSION

TRACP-5b is not affected by food intake, unlike CTX and PINP. All three BTMs correlate with change in BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip. TRACP-5b has similar diagnostic accuracy to CTX and PINP with commonly used treatments for osteoporosis with the exception of oral bisphosphonate therapy.

Overview of the clinical efficacy and safety of eldecalcitol for the treatment of osteoporosis

Eldecalcitol (ELD) is a new oral analog of the active form of vitamin D with anti-resorptive properties. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of ELD in osteoporosis. Compared with alfacalcidol, ELD significantly lowered vertebral facture risk, increased bone mineral density, but also had a higher risk of hypercalciuria.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of eldecalcitol (ELD) in osteoporosis by examining fracture rates, bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and adverse events as outcomes.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to July 20, 2020, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials. The odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval was calculated by the random-effects model.

RESULTS

ELD significantly increased lumbar BMD (WMD: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.60, 4.00; P < 0.001, 2 studies involved), total hip BMD (WMD: 2.11; 95% CI: 0.68, 3.55; P = 0.004, 2 studies involved), and femoral neck BMD (WMD: 1.78; 95% CI: 0.76, 2.79; P = 0.001, 1 study involved) compared with alfacalcidol. Moreover, ELD caused a significantly lower rate of vertebral fracture (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29-0.95; P = 0.034, 2 studies involved) than alfacalcidol, but did not lower the rate of non-vertebral facture (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.06-3.05; P = 0.405, 2 studies involved) compared with alfacalcidol. ELD significantly reduced the percentage change in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (WMD: - 15.40; 95% CI: - 20.30, - 10.60; P < 0.001, 1 study involved) and serum type I collagen C-telopeptide (WMD: - 38.50; 95% CI: - 50.00, - 27.10; P < 0.001, 1 study involved) as compared with alfacalcidol. ELD was also associated with higher risk of hypercalciuria compared with alfacalcidol (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.20; P = 0.001, 2 studies involved).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review indicated that ELD was superior than alfacalcidol for improving vertebral fracture risk and BMD. Further large-scale trials should be conducted to verify the long-term effects and safety of ELD in osteoporosis.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020147518.

Efficacy and Safety of Eldecalcitol for Osteoporosis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Object

Eldecalcitol (ED-71) is a vitamin D analog for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, inconsistent results have been reported in this regard. Hence, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ED-71 for osteoporosis.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify potential trials from inception until April 2021. The investigated outcomes included bone mineral density and fractures at various sites, and potential adverse events. The pooled effect estimates were calculated using weighted mean difference (WMD) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model.

Results

Eight RCTs involving 2368 patients were selected for the final meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that ED-71 were associated with a higher level of femoral neck (FN) bone mineral density (BMD) (WMD: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.24-1.60; P = 0.008), while it had no significant effect on lumbar spine BMD (WMD: 1.09; 95% CI: -0.11 to 2.30; P = 0.076) and hip BMD (WMD: 1.12; 95% CI: -0.16 to 2.40; P = 0.088). Moreover, the use of ED-71 could protect against the risk of all osteoporotic fracture (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55-0.88; P = 0.003) and vertebral fracture (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55-0.98; P = 0.038), while it did not affect the risk of nonvertebral fracture (RR: 0.53; 95%CI: 0.23-1.23; P = 0.140). The subgroup analyses found that the effects of ED-71 were superior to those of alfacalcidol on both BMD and fracture results. Moreover, the use of ED-71 plus bisphosphonate was associated with a greater improvement in BMD at various sites compared with bisphosphonate alone. Finally, ED-71 was associated with an increased risk of increased urine calcium level (RR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.33-2.15; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study found that the use of ED-71 could improve BMD and fractures at various sites, especially compared with alfacalcidol or a combination with bisphosphonate for patients with osteoporosis.

Systematic Review Registration

[http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42021270536].

Mouse LGR6 regulates osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo through differential ligand use

Leucine-rich repeat containing G-protein-coupled receptor 6 (LGR6) is a marker of osteoprogenitor cells and is dynamically expressed during in vitro osteodifferentation of mouse and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). While the Lgr6 genomic locus has been associated with osteoporosis in human cohorts, the precise molecular function of LGR6 in osteogenesis and maintenance of bone mass are not yet known. In this study, we performed in vitro Lgr6 knockdown and overexpression experiments in murine osteoblastic cells and find decreased Lgr6 levels results in reduced osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. Consistent with these data, overexpression of Lgr6 in these cells leads to significantly increased proliferation and osteodifferentiation. To determine whether these findings are recapitulated in vivo, we performed microCT and ex vivo osteodifferentiation analyses using our newly generated CRISPR-Cas9 mediated Lgr6 mouse knockout allele (Lgr6-KO). We find that ex vivo osteodifferentiation of Lgr6-KO primary MSCs is significantly reduced, and 8 week-old Lgr6-KO mice have less trabecular bone mass as compared to Lgr6 wildtype controls, indicating that Lgr6 is necessary for normal osteogenesis and bone mass. Towards mechanism, we analyzed in vitro signaling in the context of two LGR6 ligands, RSPO2 and MaR1. We find that RSPO2 stimulates LGR6-mediated WNT/β-catenin signaling whereas MaR1 stimulates LGR6-mediated cAMP activity, suggesting two ligand-dependent functions for LGR6 receptor signaling during osteogenesis. Collectively, this study reveals that Lgr6 is necessary for wildtype levels of proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and achieving normal bone mass.

Recent development of drugs for osteoporosis and anti-cancer agents: a patent analysis

Osteoporosis and cancer are becoming a major public health problem. Some studies have shown that osteoporosis drugs may have anti-cancer effects. To better understand the relationship between drugs for osteoporosis and antineoplastic agents, and to better demonstrate recent developments for patents concerning drugs for osteoporosis, we conducted an analysis of US patents. The results indicated that there was a good correlation between agents for osteoporosis and antineoplastic agents, which indicated that numerous anti-osteoporosis agents displayed antineoplastic activities. Our study was the first one to provide new evidence, through comprehensive analysis, for a correlation between anti-osteoporosis agents and anticancer agents. The present study may open new avenues for developing anticancer drugs and expanding the application role of anti-osteoporosis agents.

Minodronate in the treatment of osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to review relevant randomized controlled trials or case-control studies to determine the clinical efficacy of minodronate in the treatment of osteoporosis.

METHOD

The relevant studies were identified on PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases using appropriate keywords. Pertinent sources in the literature were also reviewed, and all articles published through October 2019 were considered for inclusion. For each study, we assessed odds ratios, mean difference, and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to evaluate and synthesize outcomes.

RESULT

Thirteen studies comprising 3740 patients were included in this study. Compared with other drugs, minodronate significantly decreased N-telopeptide of type I collagen/creatinine (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -13.669, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -23.108 to -4.229), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) (WMD: -1.26, 95% CI: -2.04 to -0.47) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (WMD: -154.11, 95% CI: -277.85 to -30.37). Minodronate combined with other drugs would significantly decrease BAP (WMD: -3.10, 95% CI: -5.20 to -1.00) than minodronate. Minodronate-naïve would significantly decrease BAP (WMD: -3.00, 95% CI: -5.47 to 0.53) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (WMD: -128.20, 95% CI: -198.11 to -58.29) than minodronate-switch. The incidence of vertebral fracture was significantly decreased in the minodronate group than the other drugs (relative risk: 0.520, 95% CI: 0.363-0.744).

CONCLUSION

Minodronate has better clinical efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis than other drugs (alendronate, risedronate, raloxifene, or eldecalcitol).

Characteristics of bone turnover markers in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) can be applied to the assessment of bone formation and bone resorption activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in BTMs in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

One hundred and five women with gestational diabetes mellitus defined as the GDM group and 46 healthy pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance selected as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were collected during regular obstetric examinations and the serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX) were measured. An independent-sample t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and a Pearson correlation analysis were performed for data analyses.

RESULTS

Serum β-CTX levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the control group (296.00 [235.00-369.00] pg/mL vs. 218.5 [165.25-292.50] pg/mL, p < 0.05), while P1NP and N-MID levels did not differ between the two groups. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that β-CTX level was correlated with blood glucose level.

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in β-CTX levels indicated that bone resorption in patients with GDM diabetes was higher than that in pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance. No obvious differences in bone formation markers P1NP and N-MID were found between the two groups.

Medical Treatment for Osteoporosis: From Molecular to Clinical Opinions

Osteoporosis is a major concern all over the world. With aging, a gradual loss of bone mass results in osteopenia and osteoporosis. Heritable factors account for 60–80% of optimal bone mineralization. Modifiable factors, such as weight-bearing exercise, nutrition, body mass, and hormonal milieu, play an important role in the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in adulthood. Currently, anti-resorptive agents, including estrogen, bisphosphonates, and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), are the drugs of choice for osteoporosis. Other treatments include parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as the nutritional support of calcium and vitamin D. New treatments such as tissue-selective estrogen receptor complexes (TSECs) are currently in use too. This review, which is based on a systematic appraisal of the current literature, provides current molecular and genetic opinions on osteoporosis and its medical treatment. It offers evidence-based information to help researchers and clinicians with osteoporosis assessment. However, many issues regarding osteoporosis and its treatment remain unknown or controversial and warrant future investigation.

Minodronate for the treatment of osteoporosis

Minodronate is a third-generation bisphosphonate that was developed and approved for clinical use in osteoporosis therapy in Japan. The mechanism of action for suppressing bone resorption is the inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, a key enzyme in the mevalonic acid metabolic pathway of osteoclasts, to induce apoptosis of the cells. Minodronate is the strongest inhibitor of bone resorption among the currently available oral bisphosphonates. Large randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials have revealed an increase in bone mineral density of both the lumbar spine and femoral neck over 3 years of daily minodronate therapy and risk reduction in vertebral fractures over 2 years of therapy. The increase in bone mass and the prevention of vertebral fractures are similar to those with alendronate or risedronate. The incidence of adverse events, especially gastrointestinal disturbance, is the same as or less than that with weekly or daily alendronate or risedronate. The unique mechanism of action of minodronate via the inhibition of the P2X(2/3) receptor compared with other bisphosphonates may be an advantage in reducing low back pain in patients with osteoporosis. The monthly regimen of minodronate, introduced in 2011, is expected to have better patient adherence and longer persistence. In experimental animal models, minodronate preserved, or even ameliorated, bone microarchitectures, including microcracks and perforation of the trabeculae in the short term. The lowest incidence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw among all bisphosphonates and the lack of atypical femoral fractures attributed to its use to date, however, are partly because only a smaller population used minodronate than those using other bisphosphonates. To date, minodronate is available only in Japan. Hip fracture risk reduction has not been verified yet. More clinical studies on minodronate and its use in osteoporosis treatment, with a large number of subjects, should be conducted to verify hip fracture risk reduction and long-term results.

Bone Turnover Status: Classification Model and Clinical Implications

Aim: To develop a practical model for classification bone turnover status and evaluate its clinical usefulness. Methods: Our classification of bone turnover status is based on internationally recommended biomarkers of both bone formation (N-terminal propeptide of type1 procollagen, P1NP) and bone resorption (beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, bCTX), using the cutoffs proposed as therapeutic targets. The relationships between turnover subtypes and clinical characteristic were assessed in1223 hospitalised orthogeriatric patients (846 women, 377 men; mean age 78.1±9.50 years): 451(36.9%) subjects with hip fracture (HF), 396(32.4%) with other non-vertebral (non-HF) fractures (HF) and 376 (30.7%) patients without fractures. Resalts: Six subtypes of bone turnover status were identified: 1 - normal turnover (P1NP>32 μg/L, bCTX≤0.250 μg/L and P1NP/bCTX>100.0[(median value]); 2- low bone formation (P1NP ≤32 μg/L), normal bone resorption (bCTX≤0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype2A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 2B); 3- low bone formation, high bone resorption (bCTX>0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX<100.0; 4- high bone turnover (both markers elevated ) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype 4A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 4B). Compared to subtypes 1 and 2A, subtype 2B was strongly associated with nonvertebral fractures (odds ratio [OR] 2.0), especially HF (OR 3.2), age>75 years and hyperparathyroidism. Hypoalbuminaemia and not using osteoporotic therapy were two independent indicators common for subtypes 3, 4A and 4B; these three subtypes were associated with in-hospital mortality. Subtype 3 was associated with fractures (OR 1.7, for HF OR 2.4), age>75 years, chronic heart failure (CHF), anaemia, and history of malignancy, and predicted post-operative myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and length of hospital stay (LOS) above10 days. Subtype 4A was associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anaemia, history of malignancy and walking aids use and predicted LOS>20 days, but was not discriminative for fractures. Subtype 4B was associated with fractures (OR 2.1, for HF OR 2.5), age>75 years, CKD and indicated risks of myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and LOS>10 days. Conclusions: We proposed a classification model of bone turnover status and demonstrated that in orthogeriatric patients altered subtypes are closely related to presence of nonvertebral fractures, comorbidities and poorer in-hospital outcomes. However, further research is needed to establish optimal cut points of various biomarkers and improve the classification model.