Calcifications in the abdominal aorta predict fractures in men: MINOS Study

Cardiovascular disease and osteoporotic fractures are two major public health problems. Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis coexist in women: progression of aortic calcifications has been associated with faster bone loss. Low BMD has been shown to predict cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality, whereas the association between the extension of aortic calcifications and hip fracture risk is controversial. In contrast to these findings in women, few studies concern the relationship between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in men.
Read the rest of this entry »

Cardiovascular diseases and future risk of hip fracture in women

Some studies have reported associations between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and bone mineral loss. Osteoclast regulatory factors can affect vascular calcifications, and a high blood pressure can induce abnormalities in calcium metabolism and increase bone mineral loss in women. Low bone mineral density is not only an important predictor of osteoporotic fracture, but is also a risk factor for mortality.
Read the rest of this entry »

Osteocalcin differentially regulates ß-cell and adipocyte gene expression and affects the development of metabolic diseases in mice

The osteoblast-specific secreted molecule osteocalcin behaves as a hormone regulating glucose metabolism and fat mass in two mutant mouse strains [1]. In a recent study [2], the authors asked two questions: is the action of osteocalcin on β-cells and adipocytes elicited by the same concentrations of the molecule, and more importantly, does osteocalcin regulate energy metabolism in wild-type mice? Cell-based assays using isolated pancreatic islets, a β-cell line, and primary adipocytes showed that picomolar amounts of osteocalcin are sufficient to regulate the expression of the insulin genes and β-celll proliferation markers, whereas nanomolar amounts affect adiponectin and Pgc1α expression in white and brown adipocytes, respectively.
Read the rest of this entry »

Improvement of bone microarchitecture by strontium ranelate in postmenopausal osteoporotic women

Strontium ranelate is a new therapeutic approach to osteoporosis. Strontium ranelate’s mode of action involving dissociation of bone formation and resorption was shown in preclinical studies, explaining its efficacy on bone. In a recent study [1], 2D and 3D bone microarchitecture was determined from bone biopsies in postmenopausal women treated with strontium ranelate. One hundred forty-one transiliac bone biopsies were obtained from 133 postmenopausal osteoporotic women: 49 biopsies after 1–5 yr of 2 g/d strontium ranelate and 92 biopsies at baseline or after 1–5 yr of placebo.

Read the rest of this entry »