The effects of weekly alendronate therapy in Taiwanese males with osteoporosis

J Bone Miner Metab. 2010 May;28(3):328-33. doi: 10.1007/s00774-009-0136-9. Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of weekly alendronate administration on male osteoporosis in Taiwan. This 6-month, randomized, open-label controlled trial enrolled 46 men with osteoporosis who were randomized to either 70 mg alendronate once weekly (n = 23) or control (n = 23). Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and hip and biochemical bone turnover markers were measured; adverse events and tolerability were assessed. Subjects treated with alendronate showed a significant increase in BMD of 5.5% (vs. 2% in control group) at the lumbar spine and 2.7% (vs. 0.7%) at the femoral neck (P < 0.05) at 6 months, respectively. There were also significant decreases in serum level of bone formation marker (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) and urinary excretion of bone resorption marker (deoxypyridinoline) at 3 and 6 months. Thus, alendronate showed anti-osteoporotic effects by increasing BMD and decreasing the concentrations of bone markers. The adverse events were mild and showed no significant difference between the two groups on safety assessments.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Alendronate / administration & dosage*
  • Alendronate / adverse effects
  • Alendronate / therapeutic use*
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Amino Acids / urine
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Remodeling / drug effects
  • Femur Neck / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / blood
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / chemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / blood
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / urine
  • Taiwan
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Isoenzymes
  • deoxypyridinoline
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Alendronate