Atherosclerosis and osteoporosis: age-dependent degenerative processes or related entities?
Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, two multifactorial and degenerative entities, are major public health problems. These diseases accompany the aging process and share common risk factors. Furthermore, several common pathophysiological factors have been suggested. These include similar molecular pathways involving bone and vascular mineralization, estrogen deficiency, parathyroid hormone, homocysteine, lipid oxidation products, inflammatory process, as well as vitamin D and K. Moreover, the use of statins, biphosphonates, beta-blockers and experimental dual-purpose therapies based on the biological linkage of the above entities may simultaneously benefit bone loss and vascular disease. This review considers a potential link between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis beyond aging. These common factors may lead to appropriate treatment strategies.
Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Greece.
P
P
Anagnostis
A
A
Karagiannis
A I
AI
Kakafika
K
K
Tziomalos
V G
VG
Athyros
D P
DP
Mikhailidis
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates