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Effect of Risedronate on Osteocyte Viability and Bone Turnover in Paired Iliac Bone Biopsies from Early Postmenopausal Women

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Abstract

It is unclear whether standard clinical doses of risedronate affect osteocyte viability. This study examined osteocyte viability and bone remodeling rate in early postmenopausal women (1–5 years after menopause) who were treated with a standard clinical dose of risedronate (5 mg/day, orally) for 1 year. Paired transiliac bone biopsies were obtained from 19 postmenopausal women at baseline and after 1-year treatment with placebo (n = 8, mean age 52.9 ± 3.4 years) or risedronate 5 mg/day (n = 11, mean age 52.5 ± 3.4 years). In these samples, we measured osteocyte- and bone remodeling-related variables in trabecular bone. In both the placebo and risedronate groups, empty lacunae were significantly decreased after 1-year treatment compared to baseline. There were no significant differences in osteocyte-related variables between placebo and risedronate. Risedronate significantly reduced bone-remodeling indices including mineralizing surface (MS/BS), bone formation rate (BFR/BS), and activation frequency (Ac.f). Risedronate treatment caused significantly lower MS/BS and Ac.f than placebo administration. In conclusion, risedronate 5 mg/day effectively inhibited bone remodeling but did not significantly reduce osteocyte viability in trabecular bone.

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Acknowledgement

This research was funded by The Alliance for Better Bone Health (Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi-Aventis U.S.). The authors received editorial/writing support in the preparation of this article funded by The Alliance for Better Bone Health; the authors, however, were fully responsible for all content and editorial decisions and received no financial support or other form of compensation related to the development of this article.

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Correspondence to S. Qiu.

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S Qiu and DS Rao have received research grant support from Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. DS Rao has a consultant/advisory role with NPS Pharmaceuticals and Lilly & Co. R Phipps and F Ebetino were employees of Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals during the period this study was performed. F Ebetino is an employee of Warner Chilcott. S Palnitkar has stated no conflict of interest.

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Qiu, S., Phipps, R.J., Ebetino, F.H. et al. Effect of Risedronate on Osteocyte Viability and Bone Turnover in Paired Iliac Bone Biopsies from Early Postmenopausal Women. Calcif Tissue Int 87, 392–397 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-010-9411-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-010-9411-y

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