Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:04:03 BST CiteULike: omalbams Zhang http://www.citeulike.org/user/omalbam/author/Zhang CiteULike.org en-gb Copyright © 2004-2008 citeulike.org http://www.citeulike.org/user/omalbam/article/2285060 <i>Osteoporosis International, Vol. 19, No. 2. (4 February 2008), pp. 235-242.</i><br /><br />Abstract Summary  This study aimed to demonstrate and delineate the mechanism of action of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) involved in improving Ca balance in aged female rats. FLL could enhance the apparent Ca absorption rate and reduce Ca excretion, via its actions on modulating the levels of calciotropic hormones and CaBPs expression. Introduction   Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) is a herb classically used for the treatment of age-related symptoms in China. The present study aimed to determine if FLL could improve calcium balance in aged female rats and delineate its mechanism of action in vivo. Methods  Aged Sprague-Dawley rats (11 months of age) were orally administered with ethanol extract of FLL or its vehicle and fed with diets containing different levels of Ca (low Ca diet, LCD, 0.1% Ca; medium Ca diet, MCD, 0.6% Ca; high Ca diet, HCD, 1.2% Ca) for 12 weeks. Serum, urine and feces were collected for biochemical markers and Ca balance determination. mRNA expressions of calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) were determined by real time RT-PCR. The effects of diets and herb were analyzed by both one-way and two-way ANOVA. Results  FLL significantly reduced fecal Ca excretion and induced apparent Ca absorption rate in rats fed with MCD and HCD. FLL increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 level and duodenal CaBP-9k mRNA expressions in all rats. Renal CaBP-28k mRNA expressions were induced in rats fed with MCD and HCD upon FLL treatment. Conclusions  Our study demonstrated that FLL improved Ca balance in aged female rats by increasing serum 1,25 (OH)2D3 level and vitamin D-dependent CaBPs expression. Improvement of Ca balance by Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract in aged female rats Y Zhang WP Lai PC Leung CT Che MS Wong doi:10.1007/s00198-007-0442-9 Osteoporosis International, Vol. 19, No. 2. (4 February 2008), pp. 235-242. 2008-01-24T15:27:41-00:00 2008 Osteoporosis International 19 2 235 242 animal calcium drug-alternative physiology http://www.citeulike.org/user/omalbam/article/2209624 <i>N Engl J Med, Vol. 357, No. 18. (1 November 2007), pp. 1799-1809.</i><br /><br />BACKGROUND: Mortality is increased after a hip fracture, and strategies that improve outcomes are needed. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 1065 patients were assigned to receive yearly intravenous zoledronic acid (at a dose of 5 mg), and 1062 patients were assigned to receive placebo. The infusions were first administered within 90 days after surgical repair of a hip fracture. All patients (mean age, 74.5 years) received supplemental vitamin D and calcium. The median follow-up was 1.9 years. The primary end point was a new clinical fracture. RESULTS: The rates of any new clinical fracture were 8.6% in the zoledronic acid group and 13.9% in the placebo group, a 35% risk reduction with zoledronic acid (P=0.001); the respective rates of a new clinical vertebral fracture were 1.7% and 3.8% (P=0.02), and the respective rates of new nonvertebral fractures were 7.6% and 10.7% (P=0.03). In the safety analysis, 101 of 1054 patients in the zoledronic acid group (9.6%) and 141 of 1057 patients in the placebo group (13.3%) died, a reduction of 28% in deaths from any cause in the zoledronic acid group (P=0.01). The most frequent adverse events in patients receiving zoledronic acid were pyrexia, myalgia, and bone and musculoskeletal pain. No cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw were reported, and no adverse effects on the healing of fractures were noted. The rates of renal and cardiovascular adverse events, including atrial fibrillation and stroke, were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: An annual infusion of zoledronic acid within 90 days after repair of a low-trauma hip fracture was associated with a reduction in the rate of new clinical fractures and with improved survival. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00046254 [ClinicalTrials.gov].). Zoledronic acid and clinical fractures and mortality after hip fracture. KW Lyles CS Colón-Emeric JS Magaziner JD Adachi CF Pieper C Mautalen L Hyldstrup C Recknor L Nordsletten KA Moore C Lavecchia J Zhang P Mesenbrink PK Hodgson K Abrams JJ Orloff Z Horowitz EF Eriksen S Boonen doi:10.1056/NEJMoa074941 N Engl J Med, Vol. 357, No. 18. (1 November 2007), pp. 1799-1809. 2008-01-09T04:24:55-00:00 2007 N Engl J Med 1533-4406 357 18 1799 1809 fractures mortality osteoporosis therapy