| Theme |
Osteoporosis and urolithiasis induced by microgravity |
| Title |
Prevention of weightlessness--induced osteoporosis and urolithiasis by bisphosphonates |
| Author |
Yukiko Watanabe |
Advanced Engineering Services, Co. Ltd. |
| Author |
Hiroshi Ohshima |
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) |
| Author |
Chiharu Sekiguchi |
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) |
| [ Summary ] |
Anti-resorptive bisphosphonates have received attention over the past three decades because of their potential usefulness in preventing weightlessness-induced osteoporosis and urolithiasis. Various attempts have been made to validate their usefulness using a ground-based simulation model (i.e. , bed rest) since 1975. Oral alendronate, which was shown to be effective in a recent study, has a disadvantage in that it may stay longer in the esophagus if swallowed in space than it would on Earth and, thus, it may raise the possibility of adverse side effects. We thought an intravenous intermittent regimen of a bisphosphonate, pamidronate will well fit our quest for a simple countermeasure, and conducted three-month bed rest study to validate its effectiveness. The results demonstrated that pamidronate pretreatment reduced bone resorption and urinary calcium excretion, and completely prevented bone loss and renal stone formation under simulated microgravity. |