Eldecalcitol improves chair-rising time in postmenopausal osteoporotic women treated with bisphosphonates

Targeting Crosstalk of Signaling Pathways among Muscles-Bone-Adipose Tissue: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Sarcopenia

The aging process is associated with the development of a wide range of degenerative disorders in mammals. These diseases are characterized by a progressive decline in function at multiple levels, including the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organismal. Furthermore, it is responsible for various healthcare costs in developing and developed countries. Sarcopenia is the deterioration in the quality and functionality of muscles, which is extremely concerning as it manages many functions in the human body. This article reviews the molecular crosstalk involved in sarcopenia and the specific roles of many mediator molecules in establishing cross-talk between muscles, bone, and fatty tissues, eventually leading to sarcopenia. Besides, the involvement of various etiological factors, such as neurology, endocrinology, lifestyle, etc., makes it exceedingly difficult for clinicians to develop a coherent hypothesis that may lead to the well-organized management system required to battle this debilitating disease. The several hallmarks contributing to the progression of the disease is a vital question that needs to be addressed to ensure an efficient treatment for sarcopenia patients. Also, the intricate molecular mechanism involved in developing this disease requires more studies. The direct relationship of cellular senescence with aging is one of the pivotal issues contributing to disease pathophysiology. Some patented treatment strategies have been discussed, including drugs undergoing clinical trials and emerging options like miRNA and protein-enclosed extracellular vesicles. A clear understanding of the secretome, including the signaling pathways involved between muscles, bone, and fatty tissues, is extremely beneficial for developing novel therapeutics for curing sarcopenia.

Effect of active vitamin D treatment on development of type 2 diabetes: DPVD randomised controlled trial in Japanese population

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether eldecalcitol, an active vitamin D analogue², can reduce the development of type 2 diabetes among adults with impaired glucose tolerance.

DESIGN

Double blinded, multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled trial.

SETTING

Three hospitals in Japan, between June 2013 and August 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

People aged 30 years and older who had impaired glucose tolerance defined by using a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and glycated haemoglobin level.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised to receive active vitamin D (eldecalcitol 0.75 μg per day; n=630) or matching placebo (n=626) for three years.

MAIN OUTCOMES

The primary endpoint was incidence of diabetes. Prespecified secondary endpoints were regression to normoglycaemia and incidence of type 2 diabetes after adjustment for confounding factors at baseline. In addition, bone densities and bone and glucose metabolism markers were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 1256 participants, 571 (45.5%) were women and 742 (59.1%) had a family history of type 2 diabetes. The mean age of participants was 61.3 years. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration at baseline was 20.9 ng/mL (52.2 nmol/L); 548 (43.6%) participants had concentrations below 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). During a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 79 (12.5%) of 630 participants in the eldecalcitol group and 89 (14.2%) of 626 in the placebo group developed type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 1.17; P=0.39). Regression to normoglycaemia was achieved in 145 (23.0%) of 630 participants in the eldecalcitol group and 126 (20.1%) of 626 in the placebo group (hazard ratio 1.15, 0.93 to 1.41; P=0.21). After adjustment for confounding factors by multivariable fractional polynomial Cox regression analysis, eldecalcitol significantly lowered the development of diabetes (hazard ratio 0.69, 0.51 to 0.95; P=0.020). In addition, eldecalcitol showed its beneficial effect among the participants with the lower level of basal insulin secretion (hazard ratio 0.41, 0.23 to 0.71; P=0.001). During follow-up, bone mineral densities of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and serum osteocalcin concentrations significantly increased with eldecalcitol compared with placebo (all P<0.001). No significant difference in serious adverse events was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although treatment with eldecalcitol did not significantly reduce the incidence of diabetes among people with pre-diabetes, the results suggested the potential for a beneficial effect of eldecalcitol on people with insufficient insulin secretion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000010758.

Effects of eldecalcitol alone or a bone resorption inhibitor with eldecalcitol on bone mineral density, muscle mass, and exercise capacity for postmenopausal women with distal radius fractures

BACKGROUND

Distal radius fractures are often the first fractures experienced by adults with osteoporosis, and such fractures provide an opportunity for treatment to prevent a domino effect of future fractures. Most of these fractures result from falls, which may be related to the individual's limb muscle mass, strength, and exercise capacity. Active vitamin D3 positively affects muscle and bone mass. However, the effect of a bone resorption inhibitor is unknown. This study aimed to determine the effects of eldecalcitol alone or a bone resorption inhibitor with eldecalcitol on bone mass, limb muscle mass, and exercise capacity of osteoporotic patients with distal radius fractures and to identify the preventive effects against future fractures.

METHODS

Participants were postmenopausal women(n = 99) with distal radius fractures who visited the orthopedics outpatient department in a city general hospital from April 2015 to October 2017. Bone mass, limb muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass index, and muscle strength (grip strength and quadriceps muscle strength), walking speed, 2-step results, and timed up and go tests results were evaluated before and after 1 year of treatment. The instances of fall recurrence and refracture were investigated using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients completed follow-up assessments for 1 year. After treatment, bone mass and bone mineral density were significantly improved in the lumbar spine and total proximal femur compared to before treatment. Furthermore, skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength on the unaffected side, quadriceps muscle strength, walking speed and 2-step test results after 1 year of treatment were significantly improved. Nineteen and 4 patients experienced fall recurrence and refracture, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Eldecalcitol alone or a bone resorption inhibitor with eldecalcitol improved bone mass and bone mineral density, and maintained skeletal muscle mass index, muscle strength, and exercise capacity of osteoporotic patients with distal radius fractures.

Comparison of the Effects of Native Vitamin D and Eldecalcitol on Muscular Strength and Dynamic Balance in Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Objectives:

Previous studies have suggested that the effects of vitamin D in preventing osteoporotic fractures result in part from its influence on fall prevention. However, the effects of vitamin D on dynamic balance as a contributor to fall prevention have not been fully evaluated. Moreover, few studies have compared the effects of native and active forms of vitamin D. The objective of this preliminary randomized prospective study was to compare the effects of native vitamin D and eldecalcitol on muscular strength and dynamic balance in postmenopausal patients undergoing denosumab treatment for osteoporosis.

Methods:

A total of 30 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomly assigned to a native D group (administered denosumab and native vitamin D with calcium) or an ELD group (administered denosumab and eldecalcitol) and were followed up for 6 months. The following parameters were compared: the strengths of the back extensor and lower extremity muscles; static balance evaluated using the one-leg standing test; and dynamic balance evaluated using the 10-m walk test, the functional reach test, the timed up and go test, and the total length of the trajectory of the center of gravity (LNG) measured using a dynamic sitting balance measurement device.

Results:

Compared to baseline measurements, back extensor and knee extensor strengths had significantly increased after 6 months of treatment in the native D group (P<0.05) but not in the ELD group. In contrast, LNG significantly improved in both groups after 6 months (P<0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were seen in any of these measured parameters after treatment.

Conclusions:

Both native vitamin D + denosumab and eldecalcitol + denosumab were effective for improving dynamic sitting balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Assessment of eldecalcitol and alendronate effect on postural balance control in aged women with osteoporosis

INTRODUCTION

Older people aged over 75 are more prone to falls because physical functions become deteriorated along with aging, and also fracture risk is strongly correlated with age. We evaluated the effects of anti-osteoporosis agents, eldecalcitol (ELD) and alendronate (ALN) on physical functions by assessing dynamic and static postural balance in aged patients with osteoporosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial has been conducted with 124 female patients aged 65 or over with osteoporosis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.75 μg of ELD once-a-day or 35 mg of ALN once-a-week for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in a postural balance index, adjusted composite equilibrium score (CES) of sensory organization test (SOT). The SOT equilibrium scores, leg muscle strength, and other physical functions were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The Adjusted CES increased from baseline by 6.10% in the ELD group and 6.28% in the ALN group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The static postural balance at fixed platform were maintained in the ELD group, but declined in the ALN group. The dynamic postural balance at swaying platform and knee extension power increased from baseline in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ELD and ALN treatments may each be beneficial to improve postural balance control in older patients with osteoporosis via different mechanisms of action.

Evaluation of fetuin-A as a predictor of outcome after surgery for osteoporotic fracture of the proximal femur

BACKGROUND

In the elderly, osteoporotic fractures of the femur are associated with high morbidity and mortality. At the time of hospitalization and during pre-operative care identification of patients at risk for poor outcome despite an otherwise good clinical condition is challenging. We hypothesized that the serum concentration of fetuin-A during post-operative recovery might serve as a biomarker.

METHODS

During a 15 months period patients admitted to our hospital for treatment of a femur fracture were registered on a voluntary basis and irrespective of age, underlying diseases and therapy. For all patients enrolled in this registry, blood was sampled for additional laboratory analysis. Patients with osteoporotic fractures were invited for follow-up examination about 2 years later. At this time, the functional outcome and clinical performance together with the handgrip strength as a surrogate measure of overall strength were assessed and the occurrence of additional fractures was recorded. Results from these assessments and the absence or presence of subsequent fractures were combined as summary score of outcome (SSO) and overall physical performance (oPP), a score derived by principal component analysis and relying on normally distributed data, only.

RESULTS

39 of 96 eligible patients were deceased during the follow-up period, while 45 consented to participate in the study. Patients with a SSO ≥ 17 pts were younger and had higher fetuin-A serum concentrations (each p < 0.05) during hospitalization compared to those with a SSO below 8 pts. Age at follow-up together with total serum protein and fetuin-A levels during post-operative recovery had significant influence on SSO and oPP. Fetuin-A at time of follow-up examination was not associated with outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are in favor of fetuin-A as an important factor for fracture healing but do not support an association between fetuin-A at time of follow-up examination and either SSO or oPP.

The therapeutic effect to eldecalcitol + bisphosphonate is superior to bisphosphonate alone in the treatment of osteoporosis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease. Bisphosphonate (BP) and eldecalcitol (ELD) are two clinical first-line drugs for osteoporosis patients. However, the effect of ELD + BP vs. BP alone on osteoporosis treatment is still unclear. The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the different therapeutic effect of BP + ELD vs. BP alone in osteoporosis treatment.

METHODS

Eligible documents that selected from online databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were included in this study (updated to March 3, 2020). The quality assessment of the included studies was based on the guidelines of Cochrane. Meta-analysis was performed according to criteria such as intervention plan and outcome. The indicators including bone mineral density (BMD) in all enrolled studies were included in the current analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Then, heterogeneity analysis was performed based on Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 4 studies (456 cases) with high quality were enrolled in this study. The effect of ELD + BP was superior to BP alone based on indicators including femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD) and total hip BMD (TH-BMD) in patients with followed up ≤ 6 months. Moreover, the effect of ELD + BP was superior to BP alone based on lumbar spine BMD (LS-BMD) in patients with 12 months followed up.

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic effect of ELD + BP was superior to BP alone in osteoporotic patients based on the influence of BMD.

Eldecalcitol improves muscle strength and dynamic balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: an open-label randomized controlled study

The antifracture efficacy of vitamin D in osteoporosis is due to its direct action on bones and indirect extraskeletal effects to prevent falls. Eldecalcitol is an analog of active vitamin D3 that improves bone mineral density and reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures. However, the effects of eldecalcitol on muscle strength and static and dynamic postural balance are unclear. In this open-label randomized controlled study, we assessed the effects of eldecalcitol on muscle strength and static and dynamic postural balance in 50 postmenopausal women (mean age 74 years) with osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonate. Participants were randomly divided into a bisphosphonate group (alendronate at 35 mg/week; n = 25) or an eldecalcitol group (eldecalcitol at 0.75 μg/day and alendronate at 35 mg/week; n = 25) and were followed up for 6 months. Trunk muscle strength, including back extensor strength and iliopsoas muscle strength, was measured. Static standing balance was evaluated and the one leg standing test was performed to assess static postural balance. Dynamic sitting balance was evaluated and the 10-m walk test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test were performed to assess dynamic postural balance. At 6 months, there were no significant changes in any measure of muscle strength or balance in the bisphosphonate group, whereas eldecalcitol significantly increased back extensor strength (p = 0.012) and iliopsoas muscle strength (p = 0.035). Eldecalcitol also significantly improved findings on the timed up and go test (p = 0.001) and dynamic sitting balance (p = 0.015) at 6 months. These results with eldecalcitol may have an impact on prevention of falls.

Effects of eldecalcitol on bone and skeletal muscles in glucocorticoid-treated rats

Glucocorticoids cause secondary osteoporosis and myopathy, characterized by type II muscle fiber atrophy. We examined whether a new vitamin D3 analogue, eldecalcitol, could inhibit glucocorticoid-induced osteopenia or myopathy in rats, and also determined the effects of prednisolone (PSL) and/or eldecalcitol on muscle-related gene expression. Six-month-old female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: PSL group (10 mg/kg PSL); E group (0.05 µg/kg eldecalcitol); PSL + E group; and control group. PSL, eldecalcitol, and vehicles were administered daily for 2 or 4 weeks. Right calf muscle strength, muscle fatigue, cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of left tibialis anterior muscle fibers, and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured following administration. Pax7, MyoD, and myogenin mRNA levels in gastrocnemius muscles were also determined. Muscle strength was significantly higher in the PSL + E group than in the PSL group (p < 0.05) after 4 weeks, but not after 2 weeks. No significant difference in muscle fatigue was seen between groups at 2 or 4 weeks. CSAs of type II muscle fibers were significantly larger in the E group and the PSL + E group than in the PSL group at 4 weeks (p = 0.0093, p = 0.0443, respectively). Eldecalcitol treatment for 4 weeks maintained the same BMD as the PSL + E group. After 2 weeks, but not 4 weeks, eldecalcitol treatment significantly increased Pax7 and myogenin mRNA expression in gastrocnemius muscle, and PSL also stimulated myogenin expression. Eldecalcitol appears to increase muscle volume and to protect against femur BMD loss in PSL-administered rats, and it may also stimulate myoblast differentiation into early myotubes.

Treatment of osteoporosis with eldecalcitol, a new vitamin D analog: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

Eldecalcitol (ELD) is an active form of vitamin D analog that has been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan. Over recent years, a number of multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trials have been conducted. Our goal is to comprehensively summarize the results from these studies.

METHODS

We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to February 28, 2015. Each database was searched using search terms "Eldecalcitol" and "ED-71" and the results were combined. The retrieved data from three independent clinical trials included a total of 1,332 patients with osteoporosis. After the data were pooled from three trials, RevMan software was used to conduct meta-analyses to determine the effects of ELD on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover marker (BTM) type I collagen amino-terminal telopeptide (NTX). Effects of ELD on some of the bone formation and bone resorption parameters, incidence of vertebral fractures at the lower spine, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with osteoporosis were also summarized.

RESULTS

With a test for overall effect Z=6.35, ELD could increase lumbar BMD (P<0.00001). In comparison with alphacalcidol, ELD suppressed the NTX level to a greater degree (test for overall effect Z=3.82,P<0.0001). ELD was also found to suppress bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) by 19% (P<0.01) and osteocalcin by 19% (P<0.01) at the dose of 0.75 μg/day. Compared to alfacalcidol, ELD showed higher potency in suppressing serum BALP (26±9 vs 32±11 U/L,P<0.05) and amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen I (PINP) (42±15 vs 59±23 ng/mL,P<0.05). In addition, ELD was found to be more effective in reducing the incidence of vertebral fractures at the lower spine (P=0.029).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis showed that ELD was more potent than alphacalcidol in reducing BTM (NTX). Clinical data together suggest that ELD is efficient in treating osteoporosis by increasing lumbar BMD; suppressing BTMs, including NTX, BALP, osteocalcin, and PINP; resulting in the reduction in the incidence of vertebral fractures at the lower spine; and increasing the HRQOL in patients with osteoporosis.

Vitamin D, muscle and bone: Integrating effects in development, aging and injury

Beyond the established effects of muscle loading on bone, a complex network of hormones and growth factors integrates these adjacent tissues. One such hormone, vitamin D, exerts broad-ranging effects in muscle and bone calcium handling, differentiation and development. Vitamin D also modulates muscle and bone-derived hormones, potentially facilitating cross-talk between these tissues. In the clinical setting, vitamin D deficiency or mutations of the vitamin D receptor result in generalized atrophy of muscle and bone, suggesting coordinated effects of vitamin D at these sites. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence that vitamin D exerts specific effects throughout the life of the musculoskeletal system - in development, aging and injury. From this holistic viewpoint, we offer new insights into an old debate: whether vitamin D's effects in the musculoskeletal system are direct via local VDR signals or indirect via its systemic effects in calcium and phosphate homeostasis.

Integrated therapies for osteoporosis and sarcopenia: from signaling pathways to clinical trials

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are two sides of the same coin. They represent different aspects of the same age-related process of musculoskeletal atrophy and together culminate in falls, fractures, deconditioning, and increased mortality in older individuals. However, the current therapeutic approach to the prevention of minimal trauma fracture is unilateral and focuses solely on bone. In theory, an integrated approach that recognizes the interaction between muscle and bone could break the vicious cycle of their combined involution and more effectively minimize falls/fractures. In this review, signaling pathways and cross-talk mechanisms that integrate bone/muscle, and the emergence of novel therapies that exploit these pathways to target osteoporosis/sarcopenia will be discussed. In broad terms, these agents act on nuclear receptors (e.g., VDR, AR) or transmembrane receptors (e.g., activins, GH/IGF-1) expressed in muscle and bone, and seek to alter biologic responses to musculoskeletal aging, loading, and injury. Challenges in the development of these dual bone-muscle therapies, early clinical trials examining their safety/efficacy, and novel targets that hold promise in the reversal of musculoskeletal aging will be discussed.

Vitamin D and muscle function in the elderly: the elixir of youth?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Circumstantial evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to age-related changes in skeletal muscle. This review discusses recent clinical trials examining effects of vitamin D on muscle function in the elderly, and poses the important question: can vitamin D reverse muscle ageing?

RECENT FINDINGS

Observational studies report an association between vitamin D and muscle atrophy/weakness in elderly subjects. Interventional studies suggest that frail, elderly subjects may benefit from vitamin D supplementation by displaying reduced falls, improved muscle function and increased muscle fibre size. However, meta-analyses do not report convincing effects of vitamin D in the elderly. This may be because of multiple factors including lack of standardized endpoints for muscle function, variable study design and different doses of vitamin D supplementation amongst these studies. The evidence base is therefore inconsistent.

SUMMARY

Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate ageing of skeletal muscle. However, current evidence that vitamin D supplementation reverses age-related muscle dysfunction is equivocal and does not justify stringent vitamin D targets in the elderly. Until these issues are clarified, the safest option is to aim for conservative vitamin D targets that are sufficient for normal calcium homeostasis.