title: [Bisphosphonates: pharmacology and use in the treatment of osteoporosis].
abstract: Bisphosphonates are attractive antiresorptive drugs for osteoporosis. The only compound available in Japan is the first-generation bisphosphonate, etidronate. Etidronate adsorbes to the surface of hydroxyapatite crystals, and can slow bone mineralization and inhibit bone resorption. It has a narrow therapeutic window between these two actions, so that long-term continuous administration is not feasible. The intermittent use of etidronate produces a positive effect on bone mass. But the response varies directly with the rate of bone turnover at baseline. In high turnover osteoporosis there could be a gain in bone mass, but it reaches a plateau after 2 to 3 years. In normal or low turnover osteoporosis bone mass is stabilized but does not increase. However, the long-term effect of bisphosphonates on bone strength is not known.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tottori University, Faculty of Medicine.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
mesh_terms: D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D012968:Etidronic Acid