Publications by authors named "Spencer Sacks"

Background: Bisphosphonates are widely used in equine athletes to reduce lameness associated with skeletal disorders. Widespread off-label use has led to concern regarding potential negative effects on bone healing, but little evidence exists to support or refute this.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of clinically relevant doses of tiludronate on bone remodelling and bone healing.

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Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aging are each independently associated with higher fracture risk. Although CKD is highly prevalent in the aging population, the interaction between these two conditions with respect to bone structure and mechanics is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine cortical porosity and mechanical properties in skeletally mature young and aging mice with CKD.

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Background: During aging, there is a normal and mild loss in kidney function that leads to abnormalities of the kidney-bone metabolic axis. In the setting of increased phosphorus intake, hyperphosphatemia can occur despite increased concentrations of the phosphaturic hormone FGF23. This is likely from decreased expression of the FGF23 co-receptor Klotho (KL) with age; however, the roles of age and sex in the homeostatic responses to mild phosphate challenges remain unclear.

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Article Synopsis
  • Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is linked to increased mortality and mineral imbalances in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with anemia being a significant factor driving its increase.
  • A study using mice with CKD tested the effects of the HIF-PHI drug BAY 85-3934 (Molidustat), which successfully raised erythropoietin (EPO) levels and improved anemia while significantly reducing FGF23 levels and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
  • The treatment also did not worsen bone health parameters, suggesting that addressing anemia in CKD can improve related dysfunctions without adverse effects on bone integrity.
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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in a dramatic increase in skeletal fracture risk. Bisphosphates (BP) are an effective treatment for reducing fracture risk but they are not recommended in advanced CKD. We have recently shown higher acute skeletal accumulation of fluorescently-tagged zoledronate (ZOL) in the setting of CKD but how this accumulation is retained/lost over time is unclear.

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