The effects of calcitonin on acute bone loss after pertrochanteric fractures. A prospective, randomised trial.

We investigated the effect of calcitonin in the prevention of acute bone loss after a pertrochanteric fracture and its ability to reduce the incidence of further fractures in the same patient. Fifty women aged between 70 and 80 years who had a pertrochanteric fracture of the hip were randomly allocated to group A (200 IU of nasal salmon calcitonin daily for three months) or group B (placebo). Patients in group A showed a significantly higher level of total alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin on the 15th day after injury and a significantly higher level of bone alkaline phosphatase on the 90th day after surgery.

Calcitonin administration in a rabbit distraction osteogenesis model.

The effect of salmon calcitonin on the maturation of the regenerate bone was assessed in an experimental model in rabbits. Twenty-six New Zealand White male rabbits, approximately 5 months old and weighing 3 to 3.5 kg, were subjected to a mid-diaphyseal tibial osteotomy.

Influence of weight gain on spine mineral density in postmenopausal women.

We studied the relationships between weight variables and spine bone mineral density (BMD) in 183 postmenopausal women aged 34-76 years. There was a significant positive correlation of current body mass index (cBMI) and % of ideal body weight (IBW) with BMD. Moreover, the increase in BMI and % IBW was also positively and significantly associated with a higher age-adjusted lumbar BMD.