title: [Effects of alendronate on the markers of bone metabolic activity in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bisphosphonates are synthetic compounds used in treatment of osteoporosis and inhibition of bone resorption.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research included a group of 30 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, treated with alendronate (70 mg per week--Fosamax tablets in combination with calcium and active vitamin D--Alpha D3 0.25mcg). The control group included 20 women with osteoporosis treated with hormone substitution therapy (HST), calcitonin and deca duraboline. Bone metabolic activity, was evaluated using osteocalcin for bone formation and cross-laps for bone resorption. Blood samples were taken before therapy and 6-8 weeks after.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum levels of osteocalcin and cross-laps during application of alendronate were statistically significantly lower comparing to those in pre-therapy. The serum levels of osteocalcin and cross-laps during the therapy applied in the control group were statistically insignificantly lower than values in pre-therapy. Osteocalcin has a tendency of decreasing in both groups, and it was slightly more evident in alendronate group. Cross-laps demontrated the same tendency of decreasing in both groups, and it was more evident in alendronate group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results have shown the efficacy of alendronate in preventing bone loss, which was highly statistically significant. They have also shown its suppressive effect on bone formation and resorption, but the effects were statistically less significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alendronate significantly reduces the level of bone resorption in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Its effects on bone formation are less expressed Alendronate's effects on bone metabolism become evident not later than 6-8 weeks after therapy application. Parameters of bone metabolic activity are very useful diagnostic means in evaluation of alendronate effect on bone metabolic activity and in the prognosis of bone mass loss.
authors.affiliation: Zdravstveni centar "Veljko Vlahović", Vrbas.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilić
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kovacev
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Babić
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Curić
authors.forename: Jovanka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Radosavljević
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D001842:Bone and Bones; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D015675:Osteocalcin; D019386:Alendronate