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Rationale for active vitamin D analog therapy in senile osteoporosis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone density decreases below the fracture threshold, a change that is associated with decreased biomechanical integrity and fracture. There are two types of primary osteoporosis: postmenopausal osteoporosis and senile osteoporosis. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is due to some combinations of a low peak bone density and a high rate of bone loss during the early postmenopausal years. The bone loss is primarily due to estrogen deficiency, which leads to increases in resorbing cytokines and a consequent increase in bone resorption. The pathogenesis of senile osteoporosis is less well understood and includes factors in addition to estrogen deficiency. A potential etiological factor is the vitamin D deficiency that occurs with advancing age. Severe vitamin D deficiency in the adult leads to osteomalacia, whereas a mild deficiency, which is common in the elderly, is rarely associated with mineralization defects but instead could lead to development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. There are basically two types of vitamin D deficiency: (1) primary vitamin D deficiency which is due to a deficiency of vitamin D, the parent compound of the active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3; and (2) a deficiency of 1,25(OH)2D3 action resulting from either decreased production of 1,25(OH)2D3 by the kidney or from decreased responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D3 of target tissues, i.e., resistance. Both types of deficiencies could occur with aging, and both have been implicated as potential causes of senile osteoporosis. In this paper, we would like to advance the hypothesis that the age-related deficiency in 1,25(OH)2D3 action plays a role in the pathogenesis of senile osteoporosis. We will provide evidence to support the concept that a deficiency of 1,25(OH)2D3 action exists in the elderly, which plays a role in age-related bone loss, and that this deficiency of 1,25(OH)2D3 action can be successfully treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 or 1α-hydroxy vitamin D3 [1α(OH)D3].

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-105
Number of pages6
JournalCalcified Tissue International
Volume60
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1997

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Endocrinology

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