Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 10, Issue 21, 2004

Vitamin D plays a major role in the regulation of mineral homeostasis and affects bone metabolism. Most effects of vitamin D have been attributed to the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) metabolite. 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulates its own metabolism by mediating the 24-hydroxylase activity, which leads to the degradation of the molecule but intermediate products (24-hydroxylated forms of 25-(OH)D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3) may Read More

The article entitled “Effects of Vitamin K2 on Osteoporosis, published in Curr Pharm Des 2004; 10(21): 2557-76, by Iwamoto J, Takeda T and Sato Y.” has been retracted by the Editorial office of the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design, as the text, data and some figures used/referred in this review article are from sources which have been retracted or under investigation on the basis of data fabrication and falsification, autho Read More

Osteoporosis is the result of imbalance in bone remodeling caused by increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation. In terms of the mechanisms for the age-related impairment in bone formation, a deficiency in growth hormone (GH) / insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system that occurs with age has been proposed to play a major role. The potential causes for age-related decline in GH secretion are under active in Read More

Osteoporosis is characterised by excess bone fragility resulting from bone loss and altered bone microarchitecture. Bone loss occurring during aging and after menopause in women is known to result from an imbalance between bone formation and resorption. Bone formation is dependent on the commitment of osteoprogenitor cells, the proliferation of pre-osteoblasts, their differentiation into mature osteoblasts synthesisin Read More

Remedies for primary osteoporosis are increasing in brands but not always with concomitant improvements in efficacy and safety. Clinical studies suggest that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates alone display sufficient practical effectiveness to survive as effective therapy. However, their less effectiveness in highly osteopenic patients due to their lack of genuine bone anabolic effect waits improvements. Pinpointing statins as t Read More

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the major hormonal regulator of calcium homeostasis. PTH is a potent stimulator of bone formation and can restore bone to an osteopenic skeleton, when administered intermittently. Osteoblasts are the primary target cells for the anabolic effects of PTH in bone tissue. Anabolic effects of PTH on bone have been demonstrated in animals and humans, by numerous measurement techniques includi Read More

Mechanical loading provides an anabolic stimulus for bone. More importantly, the mechanosensing apparatus in bone directs osteogenesis to where it is most needed for improving bone strength. The biological processes involved in bone mechanotransduction are poorly understood and further investigation of the molecular mechanisms might uncover drug targets for osteoporosis. Several pathways are emerging from c Read More

Recent advances in the development of antiretrovirals have significantly extended life-spans and positively impacted morbidity of HIV-seropositive patients. While effective, antiretrovirals are associated with complex medication regimens, large pill burdens, and significant side effects which may impact quality of life. Researchers continue to examine various chemical entities in their search for agents with anti-HIV activity. Ideal ag Read More

This review focuses on the fast testosterone actions on the cell membrane principally on the Sertoli cells, its predominant effect, i.e. an increase in [Ca2+]i and the possibility of its actions being mediated by KIR (ATP) channels. The regulation of the K+ ATP channels by phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate depletion on the cell membrane as a result of the action of testosterone, its putative receptors, and the phospholipase C - Read More