Osteoporosis Drug Zoledronic Acid Prevents Bone Formation: Study

Osteoporosis is a public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide, especially women after menopause, since they suffer from bone loss and turn to medication to slow down the process. 

According to a study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the drug zoledronic acid not only slows bone deterioration in those who suffer from osteoporosis, it also boosts the levels of a biomarker that prevents bone formation.

In addition to weakening the bones, osteoporosis also increases the risk of fracture. The study was conducted by Antonino Catalano, MD, PhD, of the University of Messina in Italy.

The most effective way to fight osteoporosis is to increase bone mass. Zoledronic acid not only stops bone loss but also stops the formation of new bones. The drug needs to be combined with other treatments in order to increase bone mass, says Catalano.

The current study examined the treatment of 40 postmenopausal women at an ambulatory care center. Of the total number of patients, half received zoledronic acid while half were given a placebo. The researchers checked for the level of sclerostin, a biomarker that slows down the formation of bones.

The researchers noticed that levels of sclerostin increased in those women who took zoledronic acid when compared to those who received placebo.

"The data points to an opportunity to increase bone mass by combining zoledronic acid with a drug that suppresses the resulting sclerostin's effect," Catalano said in a press statement. "An innovative combination therapy using zoledronic acid and selective antibodies to block the sclerostin could simultaneously stop bone loss and encourage new bone formation."