Novel therapies for osteoporosis.

Since the identification of osteoporosis as a major health issue in aging populations and the subsequent development of the first treatment modalities for its management, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanisms controlling bone turnover and disease pathophysiology, thus enabling the pinpointing of new targets for intervention. This progress, along with advances in biotechnology, has rendered possible the development of ever more sophisticated treatments employing novel mechanisms of action. Denosumab, a monoclonal antibody against RANKL, approved for the treatment of postmenopausal and male osteoporosis, significantly and continuously increases bone mineral density (BMD) and maintains a low risk of vertebral, non-vertebral, and hip fractures for up to 8 years.

Circulating irisin in healthy, young individuals: day-night rhythm, effects of food intake and exercise, and associations with gender, physical activity, diet, and body composition.

Context: The myokine irisin may increase energy expenditure and affect metabolism.

Objective: The objective of the study was to elucidate predictors of irisin and study whether circulating irisin may have day-night rhythm in humans.

Design: This was an observational, cross-sectional study with an additional 24-hour prospective observational arm (day-night rhythm substudy) and two prospective interventional arms (mixed meal substudy and exercise substudy).

The role of cytokines and adipocytokines in zoledronate-induced acute phase reaction in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

Objective: Patients treated with intravenous zoledronate frequently experience an acute phase reaction (APR) characterized by flu-like symptoms and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to define the role of various cytokines/adipocytokines in zoledronate-induced APR and develop a prognostic model for its prediction.

Patients And Measurements: Fifty-one postmenopausal women with low bone mass were subjected to zoledronate intravenous infusion.

Long-term effects of thyroid fine-needle biopsy on the thyroid-related biochemical parameters.

Aims:   Thyroid fine-needle biopsy (FNB) is a simple, reliable, inexpensive and generally safe diagnostic procedure in the management of thyroid nodules. FNB may trigger biochemical alterations through destruction of thyroid follicles. We aimed to investigate long-term post-FNB alterations in serum thyroid-related parameters.

Acute phase response following intravenous zoledronate in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

An acute phase response (APR) is frequently observed in patients treated with intravenous (i.v.) zoledronate (ZOL).