Endocrine Abstracts

The nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate Risedronate have been shown to reduce the risk of both spine and nonspine fractures by reducing bone turnover, increasing bone mass and improving bone strength.

Objective: To study the effects of once-weekly Risedronate on bone turnover markers in osteoporotic patients after three month of treatment.

Patients and methods: Study group included 50 osteoporotic patients (3 males and 47 females), mean age (± DS) of 62.06±9.61 years, without previous medication for osteoporosis. 19 patients (38%) had previous low-impact fracture, 4 patients (8%) had family history of osteoporosis and 6 patients (12%) were smokers. Dual X-ray apsorbtiometry of the lumbar spine was performed baseline.

We measured serum levels of osteocalcin as a marker of bone formation and beta crosslaps as a marker of bone resorbtion by immunoassay at the time of diagnosis and after three month of treatment.

Once-weekly Risedronate was administered in all patients; they were also received calcium/vitamin D substitution.

Results: The osteocalcin levels were found to be 38.8±2.4 ng/ml at the baseline and 16.6±1.6 ng/ml after three month of treatment. The beta crosslaps levels were 0.741±0.09 ng/ml at the baseline and 0.138±0.04 ng/ml after three month of treatment. It was shown that Risedronate significanthtly decreases osteocalcin levels and beta crosslaps after three month of treatment. The medication was well-tolerated with no upper gastrointestinal adverse experiences.

Conclusion: In this study, the use of once-weekly Risedronate was associated with the significant reduction in both formation and resorbtion biochemical markers of bone turnover after three month of treatment.