Impact of oral ibandronate 150 mg once monthly on bone structure and density in post-menopausal osteoporosis or osteopenia derived from in vivo μCT

Bone. 2012 Jan;50(1):317-24. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2011.10.027. Epub 2011 Oct 30.

Abstract

The effect of ibandronate 150 mg/once monthly in the treatment of post-menopausal osteopenia and osteoporosis on bone micro-structure at the distal tibia and radius has not been considered to date. Seventy post-menopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia were recruited. All subjects received calcium and vitamin D supplementation and were randomized to either a group which took 150 mg ibandronate oral monthly or a placebo group over a 12-month period. μCT measures of the distal tibia and radius were conducted every three months, with DXA lumbar spine and hip measurements conducted only pre and post and serum markers of bone formation and resorption measured every 6 months. After 12-months no significant impact of ibandronate on the primary outcome measures bone-volume to tissue-volume and trabecular separation at the distal tibia (p≥0.15) was found. Further multiple regression analyses of the primary end-points indicated a significant effect favoring the ibandronate intervention (p=0.045). Analysis of secondary end-points showed greater increases in distal tibia cortical thickness, cortical density and total density (p≤0.043) with ibandronate and no significant effects at the distal radius, but greater increases of hip DXA-BMD and lumbar spine DXA-BMD (p≤0.017). Ibandronate use resulted in a marked reduction in bone turnover (p<0.001). While ibandronate resulted in greater mineralization of bone, this effect differed from one body region to another. There was some impact of ibandronate on bone structure (cortical thickness) at the distal tibia, but not on bone-volume to tissue-volume or trabecular separation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / drug therapy*
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / pathology
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure*
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ibandronic Acid
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / pathology
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Ibandronic Acid