Genetic association between cardiovascular diseases and risk of hip fracture

Recent studies indicate common etiologies for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporotic fractures. The objective of this study [1] was to examine the relation between CVD and risk of hip fracture in twins and evaluate the relative importance of genetics and lifestyle factors in this association. A cohort of all 31936 Swedish twins born from 1914 to 1944 was followed up from the age of 50 years. The National Patient Registry identified twins with CVDs and fractures from 1964 through 2005. Time-dependent exposures using Cox proportional hazard regression models were evaluated.

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Trends in hip fracture rates in Canada

Hip fractures are a public health concern because they are associated with significant morbidity, excess mortality, and the majority of the costs directly attributable to osteoporosis. The objective of this study [1] was to examine trends in hip fracture rates in Canada. This was an ecologic trend study using nationwide hospitalization data for 1985 to 2005 from a database at the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Data for all patients with a hospitalization for which the primary reason was a hip fracture (570 872 hospitalizations) were analyzed. The main outcome measures were age-specific and age-standardized hip fracture rates.

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Beta-Arrestin2 regulates RANKL and Ephrins in response to bone remodeling

Together with the local RANKL/RANK/OPG system which is crucial for the crosstalk between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, other mediators recently described are the ephrins (Efn), expressed at the surface of the osteoclasts, and the ephrin receptors (Eph), present on osteoblasts. The specific binding of EfnB2 to EphB4 induced osteoblast differentiation and reciprocal inhibition of osteoclast differentiation (see Osteoscoop Newsletter N°18).

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Strontium ranelate has higher effects than alendronate on bone microarchitecture in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Strontium ranelate and alendronate are antiosteoporotic agents with proven antifracture efficacy against vertebral and nonvertebral fractures (including hip). Whereas alendronate is a bone resorption inhibitor, strontium ranelate increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption. For the first time, a study [1] noninvasively evaluated and compared, in a head-to-head trial, the effects of strontium ranelate and alendronate on bone microstructure, a component of bone quality, and hence of bone strength, in osteoporotic women.
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