Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become fragile, currently affects about 10 million Americans, with another estimated 34 million at risk for the disease. Of the 10 million sufferers of the disease, 8 million are women. There is currently no cure for the disease. However, it may be prevented, or its progression may be slowed.

Researchers at Washington University have made advances in their study of osteoporosis for years. For more information regarding this disease, read the related stories and expert pages below.

Faculty Experts:

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Keith Hruska Professor of nephrology Hruska is a leader in studies of the links between the kidney and the skeleton, which can cause devastating side effects for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidneys and bones produce factors that support each other's development and maintenance, and when CKD damages the kidney and reduces ... Expertise: kidney, chronic kidney disease, bone, bone weakening, adynamic bone disorder, secondary hyparathyroidism, bone morphogenetic protein Media assistance: (314) 286-0122 / purdym@wustl.edu

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News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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Treating bone and muscle disorders Grant creates new Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine June 9, 2009 -- A five-year, $3 million grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), will allow investigators from more than 50 School of Medicine laboratories to join forces in the fight against musculoskeletal disorders. The grant funds a Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine. Its goal is to better understand causes and potential treatments for muscle and bone disorders.

Bone density benefit Bone drug could help prevent the spread of breast cancer May 15, 2008 -- Maintaining bone density could be a key to decreasing the spread of cancer in women with locally advanced breast cancer, according to research at the School of Medicine. Bones are common sites for the spread, or metastasis, of breast cancer. Scientists here found that women treated for stage II/III breast cancer who also received a bone strengthening drug were less likely to have breast tumor cells growing in their bones after three months.

Better bones Potential osteoporosis treatment could help patients fortify their bones Feb. 24, 2008 -- A better drug for osteoporosis wouldn't just preserve patients' old bone structure; it would help fortify their weakened bones with new bone material. Such a drug could be on the horizon because of research at the School of Medicine that has uncovered new information about how to amplify the bone formation process.

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Related News Clips:

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Cyclists at risk for bone loss Los Angeles Times Feb. 16, 2009 -- The low-impact nature of cycling isn't conducive to building strong bones. Adding high-impact exercises can ease the risks of injury. WUSTL exercise physiologist Andrew Coggan comments.

Reverse Your Risk Good Housekeeping April 1, 2008 -- WUSTL researcher Kathryn Diemer, clinical director of WUSTL's Bone Health Program, talks about bone-mineral density and other fracture risks in aging women.

Staying in shape 'hard for women' BBC News (UK) and 1 others March 26, 2008 -- Differences in the way male and female bodies metabolise food means older women do not use protein as effectively to maintain muscle, a new study by University of Nottingham and WUSTL researchers found. The study was published in the journal PLOS One.

Calcium from food may work harder The Los Angeles Times June 25, 2007 -- Women who get calcium from food have higher bone density than those who get calcium from supplements, a study has found. This is true even if the supplements contain more total calcium than the diet with which they are compared. In the study was published in the May edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. WUSTL bone and mineral diseases specialist and lead author Reina Armamento-Villareal comments.

On the scales: Exercising helps dieters preserve bone strength The New York Times Jan. 2, 2007 -- When overweight people lose weight, they often lose bone mineral density as well, increasing their risk for osteoporosis. But new research led by medical professor and lead author Dennis Villareal suggests that losing weight with exercise rather than calorie restriction can preserve bone strength. The results of the study appear in the Dec. 11 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine.

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