title: Role of polypeptides in the treatment and diagnosis of osteoporosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a common disorder characterized by reduced bone mineral density, deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue and increased risk of fracture. The aim of treatment of osteoporosis is to maintain and, ideally, to restore bone strength safely. In recent years the role of polypeptide growth factors in bone metabolism has begun to appear. It has been proposed that alterations in the expression or production of growth factor can modulate the proliferation and activity of bone forming cells. In this direction, the role of structurally diverse peptides for the management and diagnosis of osteoporosis has attracted the attention of many investigators. This paper reviews numerous findings concerning the use of polypeptides, hormones, and growth factors, for the management of osteoporosis. Many of the compounds mentioned here are experimental prototypes of new therapeutic classes. Though it is unlikely that some of the compounds may ever be used clinically, development of safe and efficacious agents in each class will define the future course of therapy for osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Chemistry Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India. root@cscdri.ren.nic.in
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kundu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; D002116:Calcitonin