Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with high doses of synthetic calcitriol: a randomized controlled study

Article Abstract:

Women with post-menopausal osteoporosis (bone loss) absorb less calcium from their diets, although their absorption of other dietary nutrients seems to be normal. Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, controls absorption of calcium by intestinal cells. In women with post-menopausal osteoporosis calcitriol levels tend to be low. It is unclear whether low calcitriol levels cause poor calcium absorption, or whether interactions between calcitriol and other calcium-regulating hormones lead to osteoporosis. Small doses of synthetic calcitriol have little long-term effect on calcium balance; high doses stimulate bone formation, but may cause toxicity if dietary calcium is not low. The effects of moderately high doses of calcitriol and moderate dietary calcium intake on bone density and calcium absorption were studied over a two-year period in 50 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. Forty women completed the study. Half the women were given placebo, and this group had a decreased spinal bone density and total body calcium after two years. The calcitriol-treated group had increased spinal bone density and total body calcium, indicating an increase in calcium balance. Other measurements indicated that calcitriol improved the rate of bone formation. However, the incidence of new fractures was similar in both groups, but this may have been related to patients having rather mild osteoporosis, avoiding exercise, or other factors. No toxicity was observed among the calcitriol-treated women. Further research on calcitriol treatment for post-menopausal osteoporosis is needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Dosage and administration, Calcitriol

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Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with slow-release sodium fluoride: final report of a randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Slow-release sodium fluoride may be combined with calcium citrate supplementation a safe and beneficial treatment for older women with osteoporosis. Researchers studied the incidence of spinal fractures and the change in bone mass with four 14-month cycles of calcium-supplemented sodium fluoride treatments as compared to calcium-supplemented placebo in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. They treated 48 women with sodium fluoride and 51 women with placebo. All patients received calcium citrate twice daily. There were no new spinal fractures in 81.3% of the patients taking sodium fluoride compared to 56.9% of those patients taking placebo. Bone mass increased by 4%-6% each year in the group taking sodium fluoride. Body height decreased nearly three times more in patients taking placebo as compared to those taking sodium fluoride. Blood levels of fluoride remained within the range thought to produce a beneficial effect in the patients taking sodium fluoride. Patients reported only minor side effects.

Prevention, Fractures (Injuries), Fractures, Calcium citrate, Sodium fluoride

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The effect of sodium monofluorophosphate plus calcium on vertebral fracture rate in postmenopausal women with moderate osteoporosis: a randomized, controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Supplemental fluoride and calcium may reduce the risk of spinal fracture in women with osteoporosis. Researchers evaluated the effect of low-dose daily supplements of sodium monofluorophosphate and calcium carbonate in 200 women with moderate osteoporosis. During the 4-year study, the rate of new fractures of spinal vertabrae was 2.4% in the group taking both supplements, compared to 10% in women taking only calcium. Fluoride and calcium supplementation was also associated with increased spinal bone mineral density.

Bones, Bone density, Nutritional aspects, Minerals (Nutrients), Vertebrae, Spinal fractures, Fluorides, Calcium carbonate, Minerals in human nutrition

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