A study posted in the online issue of U.S. magazine Nature Medicine Sunday suggested that Avandia, a drug used by an estimated 3.5 million or more U.S. diabetes patients, may contribute to bone loss.
This study conducted in mice found that over the long term, Avandia (rosiglitazone) may speed osteoporosis, due to both increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation.
Proper bone health is maintained by a balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, the cells that build bone up.
"The drug weakens both sides of the balance mechanism, leading to an increased risk for osteoporosis," explained study senior author Ron Evans, a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.
"Anyone who is already at risk for osteoporotic fractures should consider an alternative anti-diabetic drug," added Paul Brandt, an associate professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, in College Station.
"Because Avandia is effective in controlling glucose and restoring the body's sensitivity to insulin, we do not recommend that people stop their treatment. You must balance the benefits against the complications," said Evans.
Earlier this year, Avandia was given a "black box" warning by FDA of an increased risk of heart failure.
Avandia is one of the top-selling diabetes drugs in the United States. The public health impact from the point of view of both heart failure and bone degradation could be substantial, experts said.
Source: Xinhua
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