Retraction Note to: Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on lumbar bone mineral density, bone turnover, and chronic back pain in post-menopausal osteoporotic women treated with alendronate

The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article [1] because an investigation by Keio University has concluded that there are inaccuracies in the data reported.

Establishment of an appropriate fall prevention program: A community-based study

AIM

To identify an appropriate community-based fall prevention program METHODS: We introduced two programs to 24 senior centers, "community salons," in a Japanese city, and carried out a prospective controlled trial between 2004 and 2005. Eight salons (185 participants aged 72.0 ± 7.1 years) received a single-visit program consisting of one multidisciplinary team visit that included fall risk assessment with feedback and a fall prevention lecture. A total of 16 salons (418 participants aged 73.6 ± 7.4 years) received a year-round comprehensive program, with visits carried out every 3 months. We compared the fall rates for 1 year between the two programs. Based on the results, we implemented a modified program until 2014 and examined the long-term consequences.

RESULTS

In the prospective controlled trial, fall rates did not differ significantly between programs (P = 0.449). Instead, fall rates for both programs decreased significantly by 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.94) times each month. Therefore, we implemented a modified version of the single-visit program. By March 2014, the programs had been delivered to 1863 individuals, and the total number of attendees was 6622. The average attendance frequency per participant was 0.62 times per year. The majority (85.3%) of salons requested the program every year. Overall, the risk of falling (fall rates in the preceding year) decreased significantly as the number of program attendances increased (incident rate ratio = 0.89, 95% CI 0.85-0.92) irrespective of initial program types.

CONCLUSIONS

The programs including fall risk assessment with feedback and a fall prevention lecture reduced falls when embedded into the community, and they were accepted well over the course of 10 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1081-1089.

Eleven years of experience with bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol treatment in a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I

We report the 11-year follow-up of a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I who was treated with bisphosphonates and alfacalcidol. A 36-year-old Japanese man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I who had frequently experienced painful fragility fractures consulted our clinic because of chronic back pain. The patient had multiple morphometric vertebral fractures and a low bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine. The patient was treated with cyclical etidronate 200 mg, for 2 weeks every 3 months, plus alfacalcidol 1 μg daily, for 2 years; and alendronate 5 mg daily or 35 mg weekly, plus alfacalcidol 1 μg daily for 9 years. After 11 years of treatment, BMD at the lumbar spine increased by 6.4%, following a 20.3% reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone levels remained within the normal ranges. Three clinical fractures occurred at two ribs and the metacarpus, and two morphometric vertebral fractures occurred at the thoracic spine during the 11-year treatment period, but the patient experienced no adverse effects. Thus, the present case report shows the long-term outcome and safety of bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol treatment in a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Three-year experience with alendronate treatment in postmenopausal osteoporotic Japanese women with or without renal dysfunction: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. A retrospective study was conducted to compare outcomes after 3 years of alendronate treatment in postmenopausal osteoporotic Japanese women with or without renal dysfunction (RD).

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-five postmenopausal osteoporotic Japanese women (mean age at baseline: 68 years) who had been treated with alendronate in our outpatient clinic for more than 3 years were analysed. The lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) of patients was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were monitored during the 3-year treatment period. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures was also assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six women had RD with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The urinary NTX and serum ALP levels significantly decreased and the lumbar spine BMD significantly increased, compared with the baseline values, in a manner that was similar among women with or without RD. However, the incidence of non-vertebral fractures, but not that of vertebral fractures, was significantly higher among women with RD than among women without RD.

CONCLUSIONS

Alendronate treatment appeared to have a similar effect on surrogate markers in postmenopausal osteoporotic Japanese women with or without RD. However, further studies are needed to confirm that RD may increase the risk of non-vertebral fractures in patients treated with alendronate.

Five-year follow-up of a woman with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis and vertebral fractures

We report the 5-year follow-up of a young woman who developed vertebral fractures after pregnancy and lactation and was treated with active vitamin D hormone. A 32-year-old Japanese woman consulted us because of acute lower back pain caused by L2 and L5 vertebral fractures after pregnancy and lactation. Following cessation of breast-feeding, analgesia, bed rest, and wearing of a hard brace, her lower back pain disappeared within 2 months. After 5 years of treatment with alfacalcidol 1 μg daily, the lumbar spine (L1, L3, L4) bone mineral density increased by 21.4% following vigorous reductions in bone turnover markers. No osteoporotic fractures occurred, and the vertebral fractures healed. The patient experienced no side effects, including hypercalcemia. Thus, the present case report shows long-term changes in bone turnover markers and lumbar spine bone mineral density, as well as long-term safety of alfacalcidol treatment in a young woman with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.

Seven years' experience with etidronate in a woman with anorexia nervosa and vertebral fractures

We report the case of a 30-year-old Japanese woman with anorexia nervosa and vertebral fractures who was treated with etidronate. She had a history of anorexia nervosa, chronic back pain, osteoporosis, and multiple vertebral fractures (morphometric fractures) that responded poorly to treatment with alfacalcidol (1 μg daily) for 1 year and was treated with cyclical etidronate (200 mg for 2 weeks every 3 months) for 7 years. The lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) increased, and the serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen levels and back pain decreased. During the 7-year period of treatment with etidronate, no osteoporotic fractures occurred. The patient experienced neither renal dysfunction nor hyperparathyroidism caused by osteomalacia. No gastrointestinal tract symptoms were observed. Thus, etidronate was effective for increasing the lumbar spine BMD and reducing back pain over a 7-year period without causing either osteoporotic fractures or adverse events.

RETRACTED: Three-year experience with alendronate treatment in postmenopausal osteoporotic Japanese women with or without type 2 diabetes

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief due to concerns about the integrity of the research reported. The concerns include but are not limited to study conduct, including discrepancies in reporting of study design and methodology, unacknowledged text and data duplication, and implausible timeframes and data.

Three-year experience with combined treatment with alendronate and alfacalcidol in Japanese patients with severe bone loss and osteoporotic fracture

Purpose:

Combined treatment with alendronate and alfacalcidol is more useful to increase bone mineral density (BMD) than alendronate or alfacalcidol alone. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the 3-year outcome of combined treatment with alendronate and alfacalcidol in patients with severe bone loss (BMD ≤ 50% of the young adult mean) and osteoporotic fracture.

Methods:

Thirty-four patients (six men and 28 postmenopausal women) with primary or secondary osteoporosis who had been treated with alendronate and alfacalcidol for more than 3 years were analyzed. The lumbar spine or total hip BMD and bone turnover markers were monitored, and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures was assessed.

Results:

The urinary level of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and serum level of alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased (−42.5% at 3 months and −18.9% at 3 years), and the lumbar spine BMD, but not the total hip BMD, significantly increased (14.8% at 3 years), compared with the baseline values. However, the incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures was 26.5% and 2.9%, respectively, suggesting a high incidence of vertebral fractures.

Conclusion:

The results of the present study suggest that combined treatment with alendronate and alfacalcidol may be useful to reduce bone turnover and increase the lumbar spine BMD in patients with severe bone loss and osteoporotic fracture. However, its efficacy against vertebral fractures appears not to be sufficient. Thus, anabolic agents such as teriparatide should be taken into consideration as first-line drugs in patients with severe osteoporosis.

Experience with alendronate treatment for four years among Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia and clinical risk factors for fractures

Purpose

A retrospective study based on a conventional medical practice was performed to evaluate the outcome of alendronate treatment for four years in Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia and clinical risk factors for fractures.

Methods

Twenty-nine Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia and clinical risk factors for fractures (mean age at baseline 61.0 years) who had been treated with alendronate for over four years in our outpatient clinic were studied. Lumbar spine or total hip bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) and serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase were monitored during the four-year treatment period.

Results

Urinary NTX and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels decreased (−44.4% at three months and −61.2% at four years, respectively) and lumbar spine and total hip BMD increased (+13.9% and +9.2% at four years, respectively), compared with baseline values. No serious adverse events were observed, including osteonecrosis of the jaw, femoral diaphysis atypical fractures, or atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of the outcome of alendronate treatment for four years in Japanese men with an increased risk for fractures. Alendronate suppressed bone turnover and increased lumbar spine and total hip BMD from baseline over the course of the four-year treatment period without causing any severe adverse events in Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia and clinical risk factors for fractures.

Seven years' experience with alendronate in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the outcome of alendronate (ALN) treatment for seven years in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis. Forty-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age at baseline 65.7 years) treated with ALN for over seven years in our outpatient clinic were analyzed. Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were monitored during the seven-year treatment period. Urinary NTX and serum ALP levels decreased (-48.2% at three months and -15.7% at seven years, respectively) and lumbar spine BMD increased (+12.8% at seven years) compared with baseline values. No serious adverse events were observed, including osteonecrosis of jaw, atypical femoral diaphysis fractures, or atrial fibrillation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the outcome of ALN treatment for seven years in Japanese patients with osteoporosis. ALN successfully suppressed bone turnover and increased lumbar spine BMD from the baseline value over the course of the seven-year treatment period without causing any severe adverse events.

Effect of alendronate on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in post-gastrectomy osteoporotic patients

Alendronate decreases the urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX; about 45% at 3 months) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP; about 27% at 24 months), leading to an increase in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD; about 9% at 24 months) in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis. However, the effectiveness of oral bisphosphonates on osteoporosis remains to be established in patients who have undergone a gastrectomy. The objective of the present case series study was to examine the effect of alendronate on BMD and bone turnover markers in post-gastrectomy osteoporotic patients. Sixteen patients (3 men and 13 postmenopausal women) with osteoporosis, who had undergone a gastrectomy (mean age: 69.1 years), were recruited in our outpatient clinic. All the patients were treated with alendronate (5 mg daily or 35 mg weekly) for 24 months. The effects of alendronate on lumbar spine (women) or total hip (men) BMD and urinary NTX and serum ALP levels were examined. A total or partial gastrectomy had been performed for eight patients each. The mean duration after surgery was 16.0 years. With alendronate therapy, urinary NTX levels significantly decreased at 3 months (-27.0%). Serum ALP levels decreased (-12.1%) and lumbar spine BMD increased (+5.2%), but total hip BMD did not significantly change (+0.6%) at 24 months. No severe adverse events were observed, and alendronate therapy was well tolerated. These results suggest that alendronate mildly increases lumbar spine BMD by mildly reducing bone turnover in osteoporotic patients after a gastrectomy.

A radiographic study on the associations of age and prevalence of vertebral fractures with abdominal aortic calcification in Japanese postmenopausal women and men

The purpose of the present study was to determine the associations of age and history of non- and low-traumatic fractures with the severity of abdominal aortic calcification in Japanese postmenopausal women and men. Four hundred and one Japanese persons (24 men and 377 postmenopausal women, mean age: 73.8 years) for whom thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs had been obtained to evaluate their posture prior to patient participation in a fall-prevention exercise program were enrolled. The associations of sex, age, history of hip fracture, prevalence of vertebral fracture, and spondylosis grade (the Nathan degree) with the severity of abdominal aortic calcification (length of calcification, as evaluated according to the number of vertebral bodies) were analyzed. Nine subjects (2.2%) had a history of hip fracture, and 221 (55.1%) had at least one prevalent vertebral fracture. Two hundred and sixty-seven subjects (66.6%) had first-degree spondylosis. Age and the number of prevalent vertebral fractures, but not sex, history of hip fracture, or spondylosis grade, were significantly associated with the severity of abdominal aortic calcification. The present study confirmed that age and the number of vertebral fractures were associated with the severity of abdominal aortic calcification in Japanese postmenopausal women and men.

The crystal polymorphism of calcium carbonate is determined by the matrix structure in quail eggs

Two calcified structures, the eggshell and sperm-associated body (SB), are present in the eggs of the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica. X-ray diffractometry showed that calcium carbonates take the form of calcite in the eggshell and aragonite in the SB. The aim of the present study was to identify the factors that determine the morphology of calcium carbonate crystals. The matrix of EDTA-treated eggshell was a meshwork of vesicles, 200 to 500 nm in diameter, connected by fine fibers or fibrous sheets. The matrix of SB cortex was a radiation of rod-shaped projections approximately 130 nm in width. In vitro crystal formation was achieved by adding dissociated matrix substances to test solutions. When eggshell matrix material was added, formation of calcite crystals, which had many vesicular holes on their surface, was observed. When SB matrix material dissociated by sonication was added, rhombohedral calcite crystals formed at protein concentrations of 100 microg/mL or lower, and elongated and bundled crystals formed at concentrations of 150 microg/mL or higher. When SB matrix material dissociated by pipetting was added, aragonite crystals formed. These observations indicate that the matrix structure is the principal factor in determining the crystal polymorphism of calcium carbonate.

Comparison of the effects of alendronate and alfacalcidol on hip bone mineral density and bone turnover in Japanese men having osteoporosis or osteopenia with clinical risk factors for fractures

PURPOSE

The comparative effects of alendronate and alfacalcidol on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover have already been established in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. An open-labeled prospective study was conducted to compare the treatment effects of alendronate and alfacalcidol on hip BMD and bone turnover in Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia with clinical risk factors for fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twelve men with osteoporosis or osteopenia with clinical risk factors for fractures (mean age: 71.4 years) were randomly divided into two groups of 56 patients each: the alendronate (5 mg daily) and alfacalcidol (1 microg daily) groups. The BMD of the total hip, urinary level of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), and serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) were measured during the 12-month-treatment period.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients in the alendronate group and 42 patients in the alfacalcidol group completed the trial. Alendronate increased BMD (+2.3% at 12 months) following reductions in the urinary level of NTX (-46.4% at 3 months) and serum level of BSAP (-34.1% at 12 months), while alfacalcidol sustained BMD (-1.9% at 12 months) as well as the urinary level of NTX (+13.2% at 3 months) and serum level of BSAP (+1.8% at 12 months).

CONCLUSION

The present study confirmed that alendronate has better efficacy than alfacalcidol (active control) in increasing hip BMD and reducing bone turnover in Japanese men with osteoporosis or osteopenia with clinical risk factors for fractures.

Effects of short-term combined treatment with alendronate and elcatonin on bone mineral density and bone turnover in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The antiresorptive drug elcatonin (ECT) is known to relieve pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A prospective open-labeled trial was conducted to compare the effects of short-term combined treatment with alendronate (ALN) and ECT on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover with those of single treatment with ALN in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Two hundred and five postmenopausal osteoporotic women (mean age: 70 years) were recruited in our outpatient clinic. Forty-six women with back pain were treated with ALN and ECT (intramuscular, 20 units a week), and 159 women without obvious back pain were treated with ALN alone. The lumbar BMD, urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured during the six-month treatment period. The baseline characteristics, except for age, body weight and number of patients with prevalent vertebral fractures, were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean increase rate in the lumbar BMD at six months was similar in the ALN (+4.41%) and ALN+ECT (+5.15%) groups, following similar reduction rates in urinary NTX levels (-40.2% and -43.0%, respectively, at three months) and serum ALP levels (-19.0% and -19.7%, respectively, at six months). These results were consistent even after adjustments for age, body weight, and number of patients with prevalent vertebral fractures. The present study in postmenopausal osteoporotic women confirmed that the effects of short-term combined treatment with ALN and ECT on lumbar BMD and bone turnover in patients with back pain appeared to be comparable to those of single treatment with ALN in patients without obvious back pain.

Comparison of effects of alendronate and raloxifene on lumbar bone mineral density, bone turnover, and lipid metabolism in elderly women with osteoporosis

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of alendronate and raloxifene on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover, and lipid metabolism in elderly women with osteoporosis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty-two postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (mean age: 69.4 years) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 61 patients: the alendronate group and the raloxifene group. BMD of the lumbar spine, urinary level of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterols (LDL-C and HDL-C, respectively), and triglycerides (TG) were measured during the 12-month-treatment period.

RESULTS

The trial in 50 patients in the alendronate group and 52 patients in the raloxifene group could be completed. Both alendronate and raloxifene increased lumbar BMD (+8.0% and +2.4% at 12 months, respectively), followed by reductions of urinary NTX level and serum ALP level; however, the effects of alendronate were more pronounced than those of raloxifene. Only raloxifene reduced the serum levels of TC and LDL-C (-3.9% and -7.7% at 12 months, respectively), without any significant effect on the serum HDL-C and TG levels.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirmed the efficacy of alendronate greater than raloxifene in increasing lumbar BMD through its effect on marked reduction of the bone turnover more than by raloxifene, and some beneficial effects of raloxifene on lipid metabolism in elderly women with osteoporosis.

Comparison of the effect of alendronate on lumbar bone mineral density and bone turnover in men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of alendronate treatment on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Sixty men with primary or secondary osteoporosis and 318 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were treated with alendronate. The primary end points were lumbar BMD and urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. The secondary end point was the incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. Forty-seven (78.3%) men and 254 (79.9%) women who could complete the 12-month trial were analyzed. The mean ages of men and postmenopausal women were 69.1 and 70.4 years, respectively. Both men and postmenopausal women showed higher levels of urinary NTX as compared with normal range of premenopausal women. Alendronate treatment decreased urinary NTX level by 39.2% in men and 45.4% in postmenopausal women at 3 months and serum ALP level by 17.8 and 21.0%, respectively, at 12 months. Following reduction in bone turnover markers, lumbar BMD increased 5.8 and 7.6% in men and postmenopausal women, respectively, at 12 months. Reduction in urinary NTX level and increase in lumbar BMD were smaller in men than in postmenopausal women. The incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures was 10.6 and 8.5%, respectively, in men and 8.3 and 7.5%, respectively, in postmenopausal women, with no significant difference in these incidences between them. These results suggested that alendronate treatment effectively increased lumbar BMD from baseline in men with primary or secondary osteoporosis following reduction in bone turnover, although its efficacy did not appear to be greater than in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Comparison of effect of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on lumbar bone mineral density in elderly women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this open-labeled prospective study was to compare the treatment effects of cyclical etidronate and alendronate on the lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), bone resorption, and back pain in elderly women with osteoporosis. Fifty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, age ranging from 55 to 86 years (mean: 70.7 years), were randomly divided into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the cyclical etidronate group (etidronate 200 mg daily for 2 weeks every 3 months) and the alendronate group (5 mg daily). The BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) measured by DXA, the urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) level measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and back pain evaluated by the face scale score were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, body mass index, years since menopause, lumbar BMD, urinary NTX level, and face scale score between the two treatment groups. Etidronate treatment sustained the lumbar BMD following a reduction in the urinary NTX level and improved back pain, while alendronate treatment reduced the urinary NTX level more significantly, resulting in an increase in the lumbar BMD, and similarly improved back pain. No serious adverse events were observed in either group. This study confirmed that alendronate treatment had a greater efficacy than etidronate treatment in increasing the lumbar BMD through the reduction of bone resorption in elderly women with osteoporosis.

Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on lumbar bone mineral density, bone turnover, and chronic back pain in post-menopausal osteoporotic women treated with alendronate

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Exercise may enhance the effect of alendronate on bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce chronic back pain in elderly women with osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether whole-body vibration exercise would enhance the effect of alendronate on lumbar BMD and bone turnover, and reduce chronic back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

METHODS

Fifty post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, 55-88 years of age, were randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each: one taking alendronate (5 mg daily, ALN) and one taking alendronate plus exercise (ALN+EX). Exercise consisted of whole-body vibration using a Galileo machine (Novotec, Pforzheim, Germany), at an intensity of 20 Hz, frequency once a week, and duration of exercise 4 minutes. The study lasted 12 months. Lumbar BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1500W). Urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and standard laboratory techniques, respectively. Chronic back pain was evaluated by face scale score at baseline and every 6 months.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including age, body mass index, years since menopause, lumbar BMD, urinary NTX and serum ALP levels, or face scale score between the two groups. The increase in lumbar BMD and the reduction in urinary NTX and serum ALP levels were similar in the ALN and ALN+EX groups. However, the reduction in chronic back pain was greater in the ALN+EX group than in the ALN group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that whole-body vibration exercise using a Galileo machine appears to be useful in reducing chronic back pain, probably by relaxing the back muscles in post-menopausal osteoporotic women treated with alendronate.

Early changes in urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen level correlate with 1-year response of lumbar bone mineral density to alendronate in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether early changes in the urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) during alendronate treatment would be correlated with the 1-year response of lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis. One hundred five postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, aged 54-88 years, were treated with alendronate (5 mg daily) for 12 months. The urinary NTX levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months, and lumbar (L1-L4) BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using the Hologic QDR 1500W equipment at the baseline and at 12 months. The mean percent reduction in urinary NTX level at 3, 6, and 12 months was 36.8%, 49.5%, and 49.0%, respectively, the extent of reduction at 6 and 12 months being greater than that at 3 months, and the mean percent increase of the lumbar BMD at 12 months was 8.2%. Single regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the percent reductions in the urinary NTX level at 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment and the percent increase of the lumbar BMD at 12 months (r = 0.200, P < 0.05; r = 0.341, P < 0.001; and r = 0.338, P < 0.001, respectively). Thirty percent of the patients were labeled as poor responders at 3 months, with the reduction in the urinary NTX level being less than the minimum significant change (MSC); 61% of these patients showed a greater reduction in the urinary NTX level, exceeding the MSC, at 6 months. These results suggest that the changes in the urinary NTX levels at 3 and 6 months after the start of alendronate treatment at the dose of 5 mg daily may be correlated with the 1-year response of the lumbar BMD in postmenopausal Japanese women with osteoporosis. In other words, the greater the reduction of the urinary NTX level at 3 and 6 months after the start of alendronate treatment, the greater can be the expected increase of the lumbar BMD after 12 months of treatment. In this study, 70% of the patients were good responders, who showed a reduction of the urinary NTX level exceeding the MSC at 3 months. Among the remaining 30% poor responders, about 60% showed satisfactory reduction of the urinary NTX level, exceeding the MSC, at 6 months after the start of treatment with alendronate.

Determinants of one-year response of lumbar bone mineral density to alendronate treatment in elderly Japanese women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that could predict the one-year response of the lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) to alendronate treatment in elderly Japanese women with osteoporosis. Eighty-five postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, all of whom were between 55-88 years of age, were treated with alendronate (5 mg daily) for 12 months. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and urinary NTX levels were measured at the baseline and 6 months, and lumbar (L1-L4) BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the baseline and 12 months. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors that were correlated with the percent change in lumbar BMD at 12 months. Lumbar BMD increased by 8.1 % at 12 months with a reduction in the urinary NTX level by 51.0 % at 6 months. Baseline lumbar BMD (R2=0.226, p < 0.0001) and percent changes in serum ALP and urinary NTX levels (R2=0.044, p < 0.05 and R2=0.103, p < 0.001, respectively) had a negative correlation with the percent change in lumbar BMD at month 12, while the baseline number of prevalent vertebral fractures (R2=0.163, p < 0.001), serum ALP level, and urinary NTX level (R2=0.074, p < 0.05 and R2=0.160, p < 0.001, respectively) had a positive correlation with it. However, baseline age, height, body weight, body mass index, years since menopause, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and percent changes in serum calcium and phosphorus levels at 6 months did not have any significant correlation with the percent change in lumbar BMD at 12 months. These results suggest that lumbar BMD was more responsive to one-year of alendronate treatment in elderly osteoporotic Japanese women with lower lumbar BMD, more prevalent vertebral fractures, and higher bone turnover, who showed a greater decrease in bone turnover at 6 months, regardless of age, years since menopause, and physique. Alendronate may be efficacious in elderly Japanese women with evident osteoporosis that is associated with high bone turnover, and the percent changes in serum ALP and urinary NTX levels at 6 months could predict the one-year response of lumbar BMD to alendronate treatment.

Effects of alendronate on metacarpal and lumbar bone mineral density, bone resorption, and chronic back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of alendronate on metacarpal and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), bone resorption, and chronic back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Eighty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 59-88 years of age, were divided into two groups of 40 each according to the site of BMD measurement: the metacarpus (M) and the lumbar spine (L). All of them were treated with alendronate (5 mg/day) for 12 months. Metacarpal or lumbar BMD was measured by computed X-ray densitometry or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the M or the L group, respectively, at baseline and every 6 months. Urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and chronic back pain was evaluated by face scale score at baseline and every 6 months in both groups. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including age, body mass index, years since menopause, urinary NTX level, face scale score, or number of prevalent vertebral fractures per patient between the two groups. Urinary NTX level was reduced and chronic back pain was improved similarly in both groups. Whereas metacarpal BMD did not significantly change in the M group (0.20% increase), lumbar BMD increased by 8.15% in the L group. These results suggest that although alendronate increases BMD of the lumbar spine, which is rich in cancellous bone, and improves chronic back pain, with suppression of bone resorption in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, it may fail to increase cortical BMD of the metacarpus, a distal site of the upper extremity.

Efficacy of training program for ambulatory competence in elderly women

The optimal prevention of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly consists of increasing the bone density and preventing falls. We report on the efficacy of training program to promote ambulatory competence in elderly women. Twenty-five elderly women were enrolled in our training program, which is a three-month program consisting of dynamic balance training with Galileo 900 (Novotec, Pforzheim, Germany) once a week, combined with daily static balance (standing on one leg like a flamingo) and resistance (half-squat) training. The mean age of the participants was 72.8 years (range, 61-86 years). After 3 months of training, the step length, knee extensor muscle strength, and maximum standing time on one leg were significantly increased, while the walking speed and hip flexor muscle strength were not significantly altered. During the study period, no serious adverse events such as new vertebral fractures or adverse cardiovascular symptoms were observed in any participant. The present preliminary study shows that our training program may have the potential to promote ambulatory competence in elderly women.

Effects of cyclical etidronate with alfacalcidol on lumbar bone mineral density, bone resorption, and back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The purpose of the present open-labeled, randomized, prospective study was to compare the effects of cyclical etidronate combined with alfacalcidol with those of cyclical etidronate alone on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), bone resorption, and back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Forty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 60-86 years of age, without any vertebral fractures in the lumbar spine, were randomly divided into two groups with 20 patients in each group. One group was treated with cyclical etidronate (oral etidronate 200 mg daily for 2 weeks every 3 months) and the other was given cyclical etidronate combined with alfacalcidol (cyclical etidronate plus alfacalcidol 1 Ig daily continuously). The BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, urinary crosslinked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and back pain evaluated by the face scale score were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, body mass index, years since menopause, lumbar BMD, urinary NTX level, and face scale score between the two treatment groups. Both treatments significantly reduced the urinary NTX level and back pain. Cyclical etidronate combined with alfacalcidol significantly increased the lumbar BMD with a more significant reduction in the urinary NTX level than cyclical etidronate alone, but cyclical etidronate alone did not significantly increase the lumbar BMD. Alleviation of back pain was similar in the two groups. These results suggest that cyclical etidronate combined with alfacalcidol appears to be more useful than cyclical etidronate alone for increasing the lumbar BMD by more markedly suppressing bone resorption in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Effects of treatment with etidronate and alfacalcidol for osteogenesis imperfecta type I: a case report

A case of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) that was successfully treated with oral etidronate and alfacalcidol is reported. A 36-year-old man with OI type I who had frequently been experiencing fragile fractures in the long bones of the upper and lower extremities presented to our hospital with back pain caused by fragile thoracic vertebral fractures. He was treated with intermittent cyclical etidronate (200 mg/day for 2 weeks per 3 months) and alfacalcidol (1 microgram/day, daily) over 18 months. The bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1500 W) increased over 18 months, and back pain due to thoracic vertebral fractures markedly decreased. No new fragile vertebral or nonvertebral fractures were observed during the 18 months of treatment. This report provides evidence indicating that treatment with intermittent cyclical oral etidronate and alfacalcidol has potential use in adult patients with OI type I.

Early response to alendronate after treatment with etidronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The purpose of the present study was to examine the early response of lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), bone resorption, and back pain to alendronate after treatment with cyclical etidronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Forty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 60-83 years of age, without any vertebral fractures in the lumbar spine, were randomly divided into two groups with 20 patients in each group: 18 months of cyclical etidronate (200 mg daily for 2 weeks every 3 months) group and 12 months of cyclical etidronate followed by 6 months of alendronate (5 mg daily) group. BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) measured by DXA, urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) level measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and back pain evaluated by face scale score were assessed at baseline and every 6 months. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, body mass index, years since menopause, lumbar BMD, urinary NTX level, and face scale score between the two groups. Cyclical etidronate significantly reduced urinary NTx level and face scale score over 12 months, but did not significantly increase lumbar BMD. After 12 months of treatment, the switch to alendronate significantly reduced urinary NTX level and face scale score, and significantly increased lumbar BMD, while continued cyclical etidronate did not significantly alter these parameters. These results suggest that switching to alendronate after treatment with cyclical etidronate produces a greater response of lumbar BMD, bone resorption, and back pain than continued cyclical etidronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Effects of 5-year treatment with elcatonin and alfacalcidol on lumbar bone mineral density and the incidence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of long-term treatment (5 years) with elcatonin and alfacalcidol on bone mineral density (BMD) and the incidence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Fifty-six osteoporotic women, more than 5 years after menopause and 58-79 years of age, were enrolled in the study and allocated to an elcatonin treatment group (20 units IM, weekly; n = 30) or an alfacalcidol treatment group (1 micro g/day, daily; n = 26). BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and every year for 5 years. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, years since menopause, BMD, or number of prevalent vertebral fractures at baseline between the two groups. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements showed no significant longitudinal changes in BMD in either group, suggesting that both treatments sustained the BMD over 5 years. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements also showed no significant differences in longitudinal changes in BMD between the two groups, suggesting that the effects of the two treatments on BMD were similar. However, the number of incident vertebral fractures per patient was significantly lower in the alfacalcidol treatment group than in the elcatonin treatment group (0.80 +/- 1.19 and 2.08 +/- 2.73, respectively; P < 0.05). These findings indicate that both treatments appeared to sustain lumbar BMD similarly over a 5-year period in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, but alfacalcidol treatment may be superior to elcatonin treatment regarding the incidence of vertebral fractures. Further study with prospective observations are needed to confirm the results of the present study.

Comparative effects of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on bone resorption, back pain, and activities of daily living in elderly women with vertebral fractures

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on bone resorption, back pain, and activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly women with vertebral fractures. Fifty elderly women, 63-84 years of age, with back pain due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures were randomly divided into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the cyclical etidronate treatment group (200 mg/day for 2 weeks per 3 months) and the alendronate treatment group (5 mg/day). The level of urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, back pain evaluated with the face scale score, and the ADL score (disability) determined with a questionnaire were assessed before and 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. No significant differences in these parameters were found between the two groups before the treatment. The urinary NTx level, the face scale score, and the ADL score decreased significantly in both groups. Although the reduction in the urinary NTx level was significantly greater in the alendronate group than in the etidronate group, the reduction in the face scale score was transiently significantly greater in the etidronate group than in the alendronate group. However, changes in the ADL score did not significantly differ between the two groups. The present study showed that although back pain was reduced and ADL was improved in both treatment groups of elderly women with vertebral fractures, the mechanism for the reduction in back pain differs to some extent between the two treatment groups. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm the therapeutic effects of these agents on back pain and deterioration of ADL.

Cubital tunnel reconstruction for ulnar neuropathy in osteoarthritic elbows

We operated on 16 patients for ulnar neuropathy associated with osteoarthritis of the elbow. They were all male manual workers, with an average age of 51 years at the time of surgery. The severity of the symptoms was McGowan grade 1 in five patients, grade 2 in nine and grade 3 in two. The mean follow-up was 36 months. The operation consists of resecting the osteophytes around the postcondylar groove. The shallow and narrow cubital tunnel is made deep and wide and the ulnar nerve is replaced with its surrounding soft tissues in the enlarged groove. All patients were relieved of discomfort and all showed some improvement or full recovery of motor and sensory function. The ulnar nerve showed no evidence of irritation or adhesion. This procedure also allows early movement of the elbow after operation, because the subcutaneous tissues and muscles have not been detached.

Identification of a complex between centrin and heat shock proteins in CSF-arrested Xenopus oocytes and dissociation of the complex following oocyte activation

Coimmunoprecipitation experiments using a monoclonal anti-centrin antibody (20H5) and cytostatic factor (CSF)-arrested Xenopus oocyte extracts specifically precipitates oocyte centrin (20-kDa) and two associated proteins of 70- and 90-kDa. Microsequence analysis of a tryptic peptide fragment of the 70-kDa protein reveals 100% identity with a 13-amino-acid peptide sequence from Xenopus heat shock protein hsp-70. Western blot analysis of immunoprecipitates using anti-hsp monoclonal antibodies (N27 and AC-88) confirms the identity of the 70-kDa protein as hsp-70 and identifies the 90-kDa protein as hsp-90. The centrin/hsp complex is also immunoprecipitated when anti-hsp-70 or anti-hsp-90 monoclonal antibodies (BB70 and 4F3, respectively) are used as primary antibodies during immunoprecipitation. The centrin/hsp complex is sensitive to pH and Ca2+ concentration. The complex shows differential dissociation of hsp-70 and hsp-90 under a variety of conditions, suggesting that each hsp can bind to centrin independently of the other. When oocytes are first activated by electric shock or ionophore treatment, followed by immunoprecipitation using anti-centrin monoclonal antibody 20H5, centrin precipitates with significantly reduced levels of hsp-70 in the complex, and these complexes contain no apparent hsp-90. We conclude that, in CSF-arrested oocytes, the centrosomal protein, centrin, is associated as a complex with the heat shock proteins, hsp-70 and hsp-90, and that this complex dissociates upon activation of the oocyte. The functional consequences of the formation of complexes between centrin and these hsps are unknown. However, based on the roles that have been defined for heat shock proteins in other systems, several possibilities are suggested.

Doppler color flow imaging in the detection and quantitative measurement of the gastroduodenal artery blood flow

The purpose of this article was to investigate the detection rate of gastroduodenal artery blood flow (GDABF), and to measure its velocity and volume flow rate using Doppler color imaging. The GDABF was detected in 40 of 41 (98%) normal subjects with longitudinal scanning and in 36 (88%) with transverse scanning. The velocity of the GDABF was 21 +/- 8 cm/sec (m +/- SD) and the volume flow rate was 67 +/- 20 mL/min. Without color Doppler, the vascular lumina of the GDA was demonstrated in 27 (66%) subjects by longitudinal scanning and in 26 (63%) by transverse scanning. The hemodynamics of the GDA were revealed noninvasively using Doppler ultrasonography in a patient with a malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas and one with a ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

Isolation of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) from rabbit erythrocyte membranes

A regulatory protein purified from rabbit erythrocyte stroma had decay-accelerating activity to C5 convertases on hemolytic intermediate cells (EAC1-3b, P). Its molecular weight was estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions to be 66,000, slightly smaller than that of human decay-accelerating factor (DAF). The amino acid composition of the protein resembled that of human DAF. The protein was incorporated into sheep erythrocytes. The incorporation and the decay-accelerating activity were inhibited by low density lipoprotein. It did not bind to rabbit C3-Sepharose in a column under conditions in which human CR1 bound, but its interaction with rabbit C3 was evident from the retardation of its elution from the column. These results indicate that the protein purified from rabbit erythrocyte stroma was DAF.

Experimental study on postlaminectomy deterioration of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Influences of intradural surgery and persistent spinal block

This experiment studied the postoperative changes around the dural tube at the site of cervical laminectomy, which are influenced by intradural operative procedures and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Forty dogs were divided into four groups in accordance with the type of decompressive procedure done, and three types of dural surgery were added: none (laminectomy alone), dura resection, or arachnoid resection. While the scar tissue did not adhere to the spinal cord after arachnoid resection in normal dogs, adhesion of scar to spinal cord was seen to a small extent after arachnoid resection with sufficient posterior decompression in dogs whose spinal cord was compressed anteriorly by a screw through the vertebral body. In the cases with insufficient posterior decompression adherence was observed much more extensively.