Antonino Lasco

Effects of Genistein and Hormone-Replacement Therapy on Bone Loss in Early Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

The natural isoflavone phytoestrogen genistein has been shown to stimulate osteoblastic bone formation, inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. However, no controlled clinical trial has been performed so far to evaluate the effects of the phytoestrogen on bone loss in postmenopausal women. We performed a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study to evaluate and compare with hormone‐replacement therapy (HRT) the effect of the phytoestrogen genistein on bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Participants were 90 healthy ambulatory women who were 47–57 years of age, with a BMD at the femoral neck of <0.795 g/cm2. After a 4‐week stabilization on a standard fat‐reduced diet, participants of the study were randomly assigned to receive continuous HRT for 1 year (n = 30; 1 mg of 17β‐estradiol [E2] combined with 0.5 mg of norethisterone acetate), the phytoestrogen genistein (n = 30; 54 mg/day), or placebo (n = 30). Urinary excretion of pyridinoline (PYR) and deoxypyridinoline (DPYR) was not significantly modified by placebo administration either at 6 months or at 12 months. Genistein treatment significantly reduced the excretion of pyridinium cross‐links at 6 months (PYR = −54 ± 10%; DPYR = −55 ± 13%; p < 0.001) and 12 months (PYR = −42 ± 12%; DPYR = −44 ± 16%; p < 0.001). A similar and not statistically different decrease in excretion of pyridinium cross‐links was also observed in the postmenopausal women randomized to receive HRT. Placebo administration did not change the serum levels of the bone‐specific ALP (B‐ALP) and osteocalcin (bone Gla protein [BGP]). In contrast, administration of genistein markedly increased serum B‐ALP and BGP either at 6 months (B‐ALP = 23 ± 4%; BGP = 29 ± 11%; p < 0.005) or at 12 months (B‐ALP = 25 ± 7%; BGP = 37 ± 16%; p < 0.05). Postmenopausal women treated with HRT had, in contrast, decreased serum B‐ALP and BGP levels either at 6 months (B‐ALP = −17 ± 6%; BGP = −20 ± 9%; p < 0.001) or 12 months (B‐ALP = −20 ± 5%; BGP = −22 ± 10%; p < 0.001). Furthermore, at the end of the experimental period, genistein and HRT significantly increased BMD in the femur (femoral neck: genistein = 3.6 ± 3%, HRT = 2.4 ± 2%, placebo = −0.65 ± 0.1%, and p < 0.001) and lumbar spine (genistein = 3 ± 2%, HRT = 3.8 ± 2.7%, placebo = −1.6 ± 0.3%, and p < 0.001). This study confirms the genistein‐positive effects on bone loss already observed in the experimental models of osteoporosis and indicates that the phytoestrogen reduces bone resorption and increases bone formation in postmenopausal women.

Effects of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Bone Metabolism in Young Adults with Beta-thalassemia Major

Abstract: The aim of our cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effects of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on a population of young thalassemics in order to understand better the role of hypogonadism in the balance of bone metabolism. Markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured in 40 young patients (mean age 19.8 ± 4.5 years) with beta-thalassemia major: 20 subjects were biochemically eugonadal, since they were undergoing HRT (group A, treated patients), and 20 were hypogonadic, having suspended HRT (group B, untreated patients). We also examined 20 healthy control subjects (group C) matched for age, anthropometric features and sex to the study groups. Our study shows that young thalassemic patients exhibit a significant loss of cortical and trabecular bone [aBMD L2–L4: 0.886 ± 0.052 g/cm2 (group A), 0.726 ± 0.040 g/cm2 (group B), 1.083 ± 0.090 g/cm2 (group C); aBMD femoral neck: 0.890 ± 0.071 g/cm2 (group A), 0.700 ± 0.065 g/cm2 (group B), 0.934 ± 0.076 g/cm2 (group C)]. Osteoporosis is only observed at the lumbar level in treated thalassemic patients, while in untreated patients it involves the femoral neck also. Bone turnover in thalassemic patients is higher in the resorptive phase, than in the neoformation phase and this is more marked in hypogonadicuntreated patients. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the important role played by hypogonadism in the development and deterioration of osteopenia/osteoporosis in thalassemia major. Consequently, sex hormone replacement therapy represents an appropriate tool in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in thalassemics, probably together with bisphosphonates in cases with severely increased bone resorption.

Osteoprotegerin and RANKL in the Pathogenesis of Thalassemia-Induced Osteoporosis: New Pieces of the Puzzle†

Osteoporosis represents an important cause of morbidity in adult thalassemic patients, and its pathogenesis has not, as yet, been completely clarified. In our study, we observed that thalassemic patients showed a significantly lower OPG/RANKL ratio than normal subjects. These data are extremely important for the possible therapeutic use of RANKL antagonists such as OPG in thalassemia‐induced osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates in the treatment of thalassemia-induced osteoporosis

Abstract: The aim of our randomized, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effects of 2 years’ daily oral administration of alendronate or intramuscular administration of clodronate every 10 days, on bone remodeling parameters and bone mineral density (BMD), safety and tolerability in a group of osteoporotic thalassemic patients. Twenty-five young patients (mean age 26.6 ± 7.1 years) with beta-thalassemia major were randomly divided to receive placebo or 100 mg of clodronate intramuscularly every 10 days or 10 mg of alendronate per os daily. All patients took 500 mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU cholecalciferol in the evening at meal time. After 2 years, pyridinium crosslinks, which are bone resorption markers, did not differ significantly from baseline values in the placebo group, whereas they had decreased significantly in the clodronate and alendronate groups. Osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, did not change significantly in the placebo group, whereas it decreased slightly, but not significantly, in the clodronate and alendronate groups after 12 and 24 months. At the end of the study, the lumbar spine BMD had decreased significantly in the placebo group; it did not change significantly in the clodronate group; in the alendronate group it had increased but not significantly, whereas the increase was significant with respect to the placebo group. Femoral neck BMD decreased significantly in the placebo group; it did not change significantly in the clodronate group, but increased significantly in the alendronate group. No relevant side effects were recorded during our study. In conclusion, in patients with thalassemia-induced osteoporosis, the daily administration of alendronate significantly increases BMD, the most important predictor of the risk of fracture at several sites. Clodronate treatment at our dosage is ineffective in this pathology in spite of the good compliance of patients.

Inflammaging and Anti-Inflammaging: The Role of Cytokines in Extreme Longevity

Longevity and aging are two sides of the same coin, as they both derive from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Aging is a complex, dynamic biological process characterized by continuous remodeling. One of the most recent theories on aging focuses on immune response, and takes into consideration the activation of subclinical, chronic low-grade inflammation which occurs with aging, named “inflammaging”. Long-lived people, especially centenarians, seem to cope with chronic subclinical inflammation through an anti-inflammatory response, called therefore “anti-inflammaging”. In the present review, we have focused our attention on the contrast between inflammaging and anti-inflammaging systems, by evaluating the role of cytokines and their impact on extreme longevity. Cytokines are the expression of a network involving genes, polymorphisms and environment, and are involved both in inflammation and anti-inflammation. We have described the role of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-22, IL-23, TNF-α, IFN-γ as pro-inflammatory cytokines, of IL-1Ra, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1 as anti-inflammatory cytokines, and of lipoxin A4 and heat shock proteins as mediators of cytokines. We believe that if inflammaging is a key to understand aging, anti-inflammaging may be one of the secrets of longevity.

Improvement of Primary Dysmenorrhea Caused by a Single Oral Dose of Vitamin D: Results of a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

P rimary dysmenorrhea is a common disorder characterized by painful uterine cramping, just before or during menstruation, in the absence of any pelvic pathologic conditions. It is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, asthenia, and insomnia. Primary dysmenorrhea affects almost half of menstruating women, often resulting in school and work absenteeism with major educational and economic consequences. An excessive uterine production of prostaglandins (PGs) is the pathogenetic trigger of dysmenorrhea. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the currently accepted drugs for the management of this disorder. Because the vitamin D receptor is widespread and the mitochondria l cytochrome P450 enzyme 25hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D)-1 -hydroxylase (1 OHase), which catalyzes the synthesis of 1 ,25dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D) from its precursor 25(OH)D, is expressed in the human uterus and in immune system cells, and because vitamin D reduces the synthesis of PGs, a beneficial effect of vitamin D in the uterus pathophysiology is possible. The aim of this prospective intervention study was to evaluate the effect of a single-loading oral dose of cholecalciferol (300 000 IU) on primary dysmenorrhea.

Neridronate Prevents Bone Loss in Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Today, androgen deprivation therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for advanced prostate cancer, although it presents important complications such as osteoporosis. Neridronate, a relatively new bisphosphonate, is able to prevent bone loss in patients with prostate cancer during androgen ablation.

Osteoporosis and β-thalassemia major: Role of the IGF-I/IGFBP-III axis

Patients with β-thalassaemia major are susceptible to osteopenia due to several factors which interfere with bone remodeling. It is known that bone metabolism and skeletal consolidation result from a complex sequence of hormonal changes, where the concerted actions of GH, IGFI and sex hormones and their receptors, are responsible for the timing and attainment of skeletal consolidation. IGF-I and the corresponding binding protein (IGFBP-III), markers of bone metabolism and lumbar and femoral neck BMD were measured in 28 adult patients, undergoing hormonal replacement and chelation therapy and a hypertransfusion program, with β-thalassaemia major (12 males with mean age 22.5±3.1 and 16 females with mean age 27.5±8.2), and in 28 healthy volunteers matched for age, anthropometric features and sex to the patients. BMD values, both at lumbar and femoral neck level were significantly lower (p<0.001 and p<0.05) by 18.7 and 4.2% respectively, in patients than in the controls. Markers of bone resorption [pyridinoline (Pyr) 78.1±15.7 vs 47.5±11.2 pmol/μmol urinary creatinine, p<0.001 and deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) 21.9±3.5 vs 14.5±5.4 pmol/μmol urinary creatinine, p<0.001] were higher in patients than in controls, whereas the marker of bone formation was slightly lower [osteocalcin (BGP) 3.8±0.6 vs4.6±1.7 pmol/ml, p<0.05]. Plasma levels of IGF-I (21.07±5.12 vs 35.25±8.33 nmol/ml, p<0.001) and IGF binding protein III (IGFBP-III) (1.9±0.4 vs2.5±0.1 mg/ml, p<0.001) were lower in patients than in controls and positively correlated with BMD L2-L4 (r=0.57, p<0.05 and r=0.47, p<0.05 respectively), BMD neck (r=0.40, p<0.05 and r=0.34, p<0.05 respectively) and BGP (r=0.52, p<0.05 and r=0.34, p<0.05 respectively). Our β-thalassaemic patients, in spite of normalizing hemoglobin levels, adequate hormone replacement and chelation therapies, showed osteopenia and an unbalanced bone turnover with an increased resorptive phase and a decreased formation phase probably correlated to low levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-III observed in our study.

Bisphosphonates in the treatment of thalassemia-associated osteoporosis.

Thalassemia major is a common cause of skeletal morbidity, as shown by the increased fracture risk in thalassemic patients. The etiology of this bone disease is multifactorial and culminates in a state of increased bone turnover with excessive bone resorption and remodeling. Despite hormonal replacement therapy, calcium and vitamin D administration, effective iron chelation, and normalization of hemoglobin levels, patients with thalassemia major continue to lose bone mass. The increased bone turnover rate observed in thalassemic patients justifies the use of powerful anti-resorption drugs, such as bisphosphonates. To date, alendronate, pamidronate, and zoledronate seem to be effective in increasing bone mineral density and normalizing bone turnover, but more trials are necessary to evaluate their efficacy in reducing fracture risks in larger thalassemic populations.

Gender differences in sclerostin and clinical characteristics in type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Sclerostin is an osteocyte-derived inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which acts as a negative regulator of bone formation. Published data on sclerostin levels in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are few. OBJECTIVE To evaluate gender differences in sclerostin serum levels and the association among sclerostin, bone mass, bone metabolism, and the main clinical characteristics of subjects with T1DM. DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 69 patients with T1DM (mean age, 33.7±8.1; 49% males) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study in a clinical research center. Bone mineral density was measured by phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (QUS); bone turnover markers (urinary pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline (D-PYR), and urine hydroxyproline (OH-PRO) to evaluate bone resorption; serum bone alkaline phosphatase and BGP to evaluate bone formation) and sclerostin were assessed. RESULTS D-PYR and sclerostin were significantly higher in women when compared with men (P=0.04). A disease duration >15 years was associated with higher sclerostin levels (P=0.03). Bone turnover markers and QUS parameters were not correlated with sclerostin. A significant negative correlation was observed among QUS parameters, BMI, and OH-PRO. Sclerostin serum levels were correlated with homocysteine (r=-0.34, P=0.005) and vitamin B12 (r=-0.31, P=0.02). Generalized linear model showed that macroangiopathy was the only predictor of sclerostin serum levels (β=-11.8, 95% CI from -21.9 to -1.7; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that women with T1DM exhibit higher sclerostin levels than men and that circulating sclerostin is not associated with bone turnover markers and phalangeal QUS measurements. Macroangiopathy was associated with sclerostin levels.