Osteopenia/osteoporosis in patients with calcium nephrolithiasis

The objective of this study is to analyze the alterations in bone mineral density and bone and calcium–phosphorus metabolism in patients with calcium nephrolithiasis. We designed a study with 182 patients who were distributed among three groups: group O, 56 patients without nephrolithiasis; group A, 67 patients with calcium nephrolithiasis and mild lithogenic activity; and group B, 59 patients with calcium nephrolithiasis and severe lithogenic activity. Metabolic parameters of blood and urine that were related to calcium–phosphorous and bone metabolism and bone densitometry were assessed in all patients. A comparative study was performed on the variables of bone and calcium–phosphorus metabolism and bone densitometry as well as the presence or absence of osteopenia/osteoporosis. The patients in group B had a greater loss of bone mineral density, measured by the T-score, than the patients in groups O and A. Moreover, the proportion of patients in group B with osteopenia/osteoporosis was statistically significantly higher than the proportion of patients in groups O and A. We observed higher values of calciuria, fasting calcium/creatinine ratio, and 24-h calcium/creatinine among the patients in group B compared to the other two groups. Calciuria, citraturia, and fasting calcium/creatinine were independent factors that showed a relationship with severe lithogenic activity compared to the control group, and β-crosslaps is an independent factor that has a relationship with severe lithogenic activity as compared to mild lithogenic activity. Patients with calcium lithiasis and severe lithogenic activity have a greater loss in bone mineral density and therefore a greater risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis.     

Bone mineral density measurement in patients with recurrent normocalciuric calcium stone disease

To investigate bone mineral densitometry findings in patients with normocalciuric urinary system stone disease, we compared 150 patients with normocalciuric calcium stone disease (group 1) and 60 subjects of a control group (group 2). The patients were compared according to bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), bone mineral density (BMD), T-score and Z-score values of femur neck, total femur and lumbar spine (L2–L4) by dual energy absorptiometry. We found that 76.6% of the patients in group 1 and 20.0% in group 2 had low BMD; 11.3% of patients in group 1 had osteoporosis and 65.4% had osteopenia. In the control group, there was no osteoporosis, but 20.0% of the subjects had osteopenia. In group 1, there was hyperoxaluria in 26.0% of patients, hypocitraturia in 15.3% of patients, hyperuricosuria in 6.0% of patients, both hypocitraturia and hyperoxaluria in 8.6% of patients in a 24-h urine analysis. Urine analysis was normal in 44.0% of patients. Our results showed a severe loss of bone mass in patients with urinary system normocalciuric calcium stone disease. Thus, the necessary precautions concerning bone mass protection should be taken and the patients should be informed about this issue.     

古溪针刀辅助鲑降钙素治疗老年骨质疏松症的临床疗效分析

目的分析古溪针刀辅助鲑降钙素治疗老年骨质疏松症的临床疗效。方法将我院收治的66例老年骨质疏松症患者随机分为观察组33例,对照33例。观察组患者行古溪针刀辅助鲑降钙素联合钙剂治疗,对照组患者行鲑降钙素联合钙剂治疗。两组患者及治疗6个月、12个月后均测量骨密度、评价疼痛控制情况、生活能力改善情况等。结果对照组疼痛、日常生活能力、腰椎及左髋关节骨密度均在治疗后6、12个月有所改善,但与观察组对比发现,观察组治疗后6个月疼痛得到明显缓解(P0.05),日常生活能力、腰椎及左髋关节骨密度得到明显提高(P0.05),且在治疗12个月后日常生活能力、腰椎及左髋关节骨密度仍在不断改善(P0.05)。结论古溪针刀辅助鲑降钙素治疗的临床疗效显著,能快速缓解老年骨质疏松症患者疼痛,并有效提高其骨密度和日常生活能力,控制骨量的的减少,避免发生病理性骨折。     

应用FRAX联合腰椎或股骨颈骨密度评估中老年女性骨折风险的临床研究

目的探讨应用FRAX联合腰椎或股骨颈骨密度评估中老年女性骨折风险。方法选取2017年3月至2018年6月在连云港市第一人民医院行骨密度检查的女性337例,收集其个人基本信息、FRAX风险评估值及腰椎和股骨颈骨密度,按照骨密度及年龄分组,根据上述资料计算10年内主要部位骨质疏松性骨折概率和10年内髋部骨折概率,比较FRAX联合腰椎或股骨颈骨密度评估骨折风险的差异。结果无论代入股骨颈骨密度还是腰椎骨密度计算骨折风险,骨质疏松组的骨折风险均高于骨量减少组(P0.05);②无论是在骨质疏松组还是在骨量减少组,采用股骨颈骨密度计算的骨折风险均高于采用腰椎骨密度计算的值(P0.05)。③进一步分析显示,不同年龄组采用股骨颈骨密度计算出的骨折风险均高于采用腰椎骨密度计算的值(P0.05)。结论对于不同年龄组的骨量异常女性,FRAX联合股骨颈骨密度预测的骨折风险高于联合腰椎骨密度预测的骨折风险。     

The remodeling transient and the calcium economy

SUMMARY: The remodeling transient describes a change in bone mass that lasts one remodeling cycle following an intervention that disturbs the calcium economy. We demonstrated the transient in a study of the response of bone density to calcium/vitamin D3 supplementation and show the hazards of misinterpretation if the transient is not considered. INTRODUCTION: The remodeling transient describes a change in bone mass that lasts for one remodeling cycle following an intervention that disturbs the calcium economy. METHODS: We report an intervention with calcium and vitamin D supplementation in 208 postmenopausal African-American women where the remodeling transient was considered a priori in the study design. Both groups (calcium alone vs. calcium + 20 microg (800 IU) vitamin D3) were ensured a calcium intake in excess of 1200 mg/day. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in changes in BMD over time. These BMD changes were therefore interpreted to reflect increased calcium intake in both groups but not any influence of vitamin D. A transient increase in bone mineral density was observed during the first year of study, followed by a decline. The remodeling period was estimated at about 9 months, which is similar to histomorphometric estimates. CONCLUSION: It is problematic to draw conclusions concerning interventions that influence the calcium economy without considering the remodeling transient in study design. Studies of agents that effect bone remodeling must be carried out for at least two remodeling cycles and appropriate techniques must be used in data analysis.     

骨量减少或骨质疏松症合并2型糖尿病患者血清视黄醇结合蛋白4水平与骨密度的联系

目的探讨50岁以上2型糖尿病患者伴有骨量减少或骨质疏松症血清视黄醇结合蛋白4 (retinol binding protein 4,RBP4)、骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)与其他相关骨代谢指标之间的关系。方法 2016年4月至2017年8月在我院就诊的2型糖尿病患者(n=204例)入选本研究。采用双能X线骨密度仪测量BMD,分为正常骨密度组(110例)、骨量减少组(69例)和骨质疏松组(25例)。同时确定血清RBP4和其他生物标志物。结果与正常骨密度组相比,骨量减少和骨质疏松组患者血清RBP4、体重、钙和体质量指数(bone mass index,BMI)均与BMD呈正相关。相比之下,年龄、糖尿病病程和碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)与所有测试部位的BMD呈负相关。在未调整的分析中,年龄、性别、糖尿病持续时间、ALP与股骨颈、髋部和腰椎BMD呈负相关,而体重、BMI和RBP4与所有部位的BMD呈正相关。在多元回归分析中,根据年龄、体重、BMI和其他骨骼相关因素进行校正,结果显示,在所有部位,血清RBP4与BMD之间呈逐级递增关系。结论与2型糖尿病患者的正常骨密度组相比,调整其他因素后,在骨量减少和骨质疏松症组中患者血清RBP4与所有部位的骨密度均呈正相关。     

Intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium and low bone turnover in hypercalciuric postmenopausal osteoporosis

Hypercalciuria of intestinal origin has been linked with bone loss in calcium nephrolithiasis and idiopathic osteoporosis. This retrospective data analysis was performed to explore potential pathogenetic link between intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Data were retrieved from postmenopausal women who were evaluated for osteoporosis or osteopenia at the Mineral Metabolism Clinic of UT Southwestern Medical Center. A total of 319 patients underwent the test of calciuric response to oral calcium load to obtain an indirect measure of intestinal calcium absorption. Serum and urinary biochemistry and L2–L4 bone mineral density (BMD) were compared between five quintiles of calciuric response. There was a statistically significant trend toward a rise in 24-h urinary calcium and a decrease in urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and BMD, with increasing order of quintiles. The presentation of those in the 1st quintile was consistent with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, with impaired calcium absorption, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and stimulated bone turnover (high normal urinary DPD). In contrast, patients in the 5th quintile displayed a picture of absorptive hypercalciuria of stone disease, with intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium, high or high normal urinary calcium and suppressed bone turnover (low or low normal urinary DPD). Thus, the assessment of intestinal calcium absorption in a seemingly homogeneous group of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia revealed a spectrum of calciuric response whose extremes may represent two physiologically distinct subtypes that have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.     

Bone mineral density deficiency in children.

With the development of improved diagnostic and treatment options, reduced bone mineral density in children is receiving increased attention. The etiology of osteopenia in healthy children is multifactorial and incompletely understood, but poor calcium intake during the adolescent growth spurt may be an important (and potentially reversible) factor. Other clinically relevant causes of reduced bone mineral density in children include osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, juvenile rheumatoid and other chronic arthritides, osteopenia associated with neuromuscular disorders, and idiopathic osteoporosis. To provide effective treatment, it is important to understand the process of normal skeletal mineralization, the techniques of bone mineral density measurement, the pathophysiology of osteopenia, and the evaluation and treatment options for the general pediatric population as well as for patients with specific pediatric disorders.     

The effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthopanax senticosus</Emphasis> extract on bone turnover and bone mineral density in Korean postmenopausal women

The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to investigate the effects of the extract of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS extract), a widely used oriental herb, on bone remodeling and bone mineral density in Korean postmenopausal women. A total of 81 postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis, an age of less than 65 years, were enrolled in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) the control group (n = 40), calcium intake (500 mg per day), and (2) the treatment group (n = 41), calcium (500 mg per day) plus AS extract (3 g per day). After treatment with AS extract for 6 months, the AS extract group showed a significant increase in serum osteocalcin levels compared with the control group (P = 0.041). However, no significant changes in bone mineral density were observed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). AS extract was generally well tolerated, and no differences were observed between the two groups in terms of adverse events. This study suggests that AS extract supplementation may have beneficial effects on bone remodeling in Korean postmenopausal women and that it has no significant adverse events.     

Evidence that Treatment with Risedronate in Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Affects Bone Mineralization and Bone Volume

Risedronate is used in osteoporosis treatment. Postmenopausal women enrolled in the Vertebral Efficacy with Risedronate Therapy trial received either risedronate (5 mg/day) or placebo for 3 years. Subjects received calcium and vitamin D supplementation if deficient at baseline. Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline and at 3 years. Quantitative back-scattered electron imaging (qBEI) was performed on paired iliac crest biopsies (risedronate, n = 18; placebo, n = 13) before and after treatment, and the mineral volume fraction in the trabecular bone was calculated. Combining dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric values with the mineral volume fraction for the same patients allowed us to calculate the relative change in trabecular bone volume with treatment. This showed that the effect on BMD was likely to be due partly to changes in matrix mineralization and partly due to changes in bone volume. After treatment, trabecular bone volume in the lumbar spine tended to increase in the risedronate group (+2.4%, nonsignificant) but there was a significant decrease (−3.7%, P < 0.05) in the placebo group. Calcium supplementation with adequate levels of vitamin D led to an ∼3.3% increase in mineral content in the bone material independently of risedronate treatment. This increase was larger in patients with lower matrix mineralization at baseline and likely resulted from correction of calcium/vitamin D deficiency as well as from reduced bone remodeling. Combining BMD and bone mineralization density distribution data show that in postmenopausal osteoporosis 3-year treatment with risedronate preserves or may increase trabecular bone volume, unlike placebo. This analysis also allows, for the first time, separation of the contributions of bone volume and matrix mineralization to the increase in BMD.     

上海市闵行区中老年群体中不同骨密度人群的尿钙水平调查分析

目的探索上海市闵行区中老年人群钙营养状况及其与骨质疏松的相关性。方法对长期居住在上海闵行区的50岁以上的1460例体检人群进行问卷调查和体格检查,DXA测定腰椎、总髋、股骨颈和Ward三角区的骨密度,化学发光法测定空腹血钙、尿钙。根据WHO标准诊断骨量正常、减少和疏松,尿钙低于1.7 mmol/L为缺钙,骨质疏松尿钙高于5.3 mmol/L为高尿钙流失,其余为正常尿钙水平。结果 1460人中,骨质疏松人数为337人,占总人数的23.08%,骨量正常人数为420人,占总人数的28.77%。其中男性骨质疏松率为4.12%,女性骨质疏松率为37.88%。尿钙水平偏低人数为365人,占总人数的25.0%,高尿钙水平人数为176人,占总人数的12.1%。其中男性尿钙水平偏低率为30.32%,女性尿钙偏低率为22.78%。尿钙水平值以60岁以下骨量减少组3.67 mmol/L最高。三年尿钙水平变化值以女性骨质疏松组差异最显著(P0.05)。结论缺钙率女性略低于男性群体,但骨质疏松率女性远远高于男性。老年群体中缺钙为普遍现象,缺钙外加高钙流失是导致老年性骨质疏松的主要因素。骨质疏松干预过程中,除补钙外,采取有效防治钙流失的措施是防治骨质疏松的关键。     

Biochemical parameters associated with low bone density in healthy men and women.

A causal role in age-related bone loss has been attributed to alterations in vitamin D status, the bone mineral regulating hormones, and/or renal function. We assessed biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and renal function in healthy subsets of young and old men (n = 191) and women (n = 120) and evaluated the relationships between these parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) in the radius, spine, and femur. There were no significant associations between BMD at any site and serum 25-OHD, 1,25-(OH)2D, PTH, or creatinine clearance in either young men or in young or old women, after controlling for age. In old men, however, lower radius BMD was significantly related to higher PTH and higher 1,25-(OH)2D and marginally related to lower 25-OHD values. In young men, there were unexpected but significant associations between lower femoral neck BMD and higher serum osteocalcin and urinary calcium/creatinine excretion after age adjustment. In old women, lower spine and radius BMD was also significantly correlated with higher serum osteocalcin. In this healthy, vitamin D-replete population, there were significant cross-sectional declines in BMD in the femur in young and old men and at all sites in old women. Elevated remodeling may be an important feature that contributes to reduced femoral BMD in young men and reduced spine and radius BMD in old women. However, compromised renal function or levels of 1,25-(OH)2D or elevated PTH appear to be neither necessary nor relevant as determinants of osteopenia in the spine or femur in these normal, healthy men and women.     

产后早期妇女骨质疏松相关因素分析

目的：了解产后早期妇女骨量丢失的影响因素,为防止妊娠有关的骨质疏松发生提供依据。方法纳入在我院分娩的产后10～14天妇女1125例,采用双能X线骨密度测定仪测定受试者L1-L4椎体及左侧股骨颈的骨密度（BMD）,根据骨密度分为骨质疏松组、骨量减少组、骨量正常组,比较各组间年龄、身高、体重指数（ BMI）、产次、钙摄入量等差异。结果在1125例调查者中,骨质疏松65例（5.8％）,骨量减少429例（38.1％）,骨量正常631例（56.1％）。牛奶摄入量每天＞200 ml的产妇,其骨质疏松发生率低于牛奶每天摄入＜200 ml的产妇（ P＜0.01）。孕期补钙的产妇骨质疏松发生率低于未补钙者（ P＜0.01）,有骨质疏松家庭史的产妇,其骨质疏松发生率高于无骨质疏松家庭的产妇（P＜0.01）。结论产后妇女骨质疏松及骨量减少的发生率较高,骨质疏松家族史、钙摄入不足、低BMI是产后骨量丢失的风险因素,产后常规测量骨密度有助于骨质疏松的早期诊断及治疗。     

基于钙沉积异常探讨原发性骨质疏松症“痰邪”的理论研究

骨质疏松症是以骨强度下降、骨折风险性增加为特征的骨骼系统疾病。与骨骼强度相关的因素主要包括骨矿密度和骨质量,骨矿化是骨代谢的重要过程,而钙的异常沉积是骨矿化异常的表现,是骨质疏松症发病及加重的因素之一。多种骨基质蛋白参与血管钙化等异位钙化的过程,研究发现治疗骨质疏松症的药物也能同时改善血管钙化,因此骨质疏松症的治疗可以从调节钙的沉积入手,通过对骨钙相关蛋白的调节,促进正常的骨矿化而抑制异位钙化,从而达到治疗骨质疏松症的目的。向楠教授领导的课题组在前期的研究中,基于对脂代谢紊乱与骨质疏松症的相关性的认识及痰浊在骨质疏松症发病中作用的认识,提出了"脂代谢异常可能与骨质疏松症痰浊有关"的假说,并制定了补肾化痰的新治则,进行了一系列的实验研究,表明了从"痰"论治骨质疏松症的可行性。现在,根据正常的钙代谢在人体内环境的调节作用及钙的异常沉积引起的病理表现,认为钙的异常沉积亦属于中医"痰邪"的范畴,因此从"痰"论治骨质疏松症还可从调节钙沉积的角度入手,运用补肾化痰法调节钙的沉积,从而达到治疗骨质疏松症的目的,这还有待进一步的研究与证实。     

Changes in vitamin D metabolites and bone histology in rats during recovery from rickets

Summary The relative roles of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)₂D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25-(OH)₂D) in bone mineralization are largely unknown. Young vitamin D depleted rats were fed increasing amounts of vitamin D and grouped radiologically in accordance with the rat line test. They ranged from severely rachitic to normal. Radiology was correlated with serum levels of 25-OHD, 1,25-(OH)₂D, 24,25-(OH)₂D, ionized calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, with bone histology, and with the total mineral content of the animals. Serum 1,25-(OH)₂D rose in a linear fashion to supranormal values during bone healing and correlated with the radiological degree of rickets. Serum 25-OHD was below detection limit in the most rachitic and low in the radiologicall normal rats, whereas 24,25-(OH)₂D was low in all groups. These two metabolites showed no correlation with the radiologic, histologic or biochemical parameters. In rachitic rats, 1,25-(OH)₂D appears to play a major role in bone healing and possibly exerts a direct effect on bone cells. It cannot be ruled out, however, that the effect is mediated through a rise in serum levels of calcium and phosphorus, although signs of bone healing were seen in the presence of a subnormal calcium x phosphorus product. Initiation of mineralization can take place with unmeasurable 25-OHD, and 24,25-(OH)₂D seems to be without importance.     

益盖宁治疗骨质疏松症的疗效观察

目的：观察益盖宁对老年性和绝经后骨质疏松症患者的疗效。方法：48例患者益盖宁20Uim每周2次，加服碳酸钙每日750mg另48例患者单纯服用碳酸钙每日750mg作为对照。结果：益盖宁对患者疼痛和骨密度的改善作用优于对照组，能有效提高骨转换率，且益盖宁的副作用较轻。结论：益盖宁长期治疗可抑制骨吸收，提高骨密度，改善骨痛。     

A randomized study on the effects of estrogen/gestagen or high dose oral calcium on trabecular bone remodeling in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Thirty-seven patients with postmenopausal crush fracture osteoporosis were randomized to oral cyclic estrogen/gestagen (n = 20) or oral calcium (2000 mg elemental calcium per day) (n = 17). Fourteen in each group completed 1 year of treatment. Iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained after intravital double labeling with tetracycline before and after treatment in 10 patients on estrogen/gestagen and 11 patients on calcium. In the estrogen/gestagen group the activation frequency in trabecular bone decreased from 0.52 + 0.11 (SEM) year-1 to 0.27 + 0.08 year-1 (p less than 0.01). No significant changes were found in resorption or formation periods. The osteoid surfaces and the mineralizing surfaces decreased (p less than 0.05), whereas the decrease in eroded surfaces was insignificant. Furthermore, no significant changes were observed in final resorption depth, wall thickness or bone balance per remodeling cycle. Serum alkaline phosphatase and renal hydroxyproline excretion decreased during treatment (p less than 0.002), whereas the lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) increased (p less than 0.01). In the calcium group the extent and thickness of osteoid surfaces decreased (p less than 0.05) without significant changes in activation frequency. Serum alkaline phosphatase and renal hydroxyproline excretion decreased during treatment (p less than 0.02). No significant changes were observed in lumbar BMC or the other histomorphometric parameters. The study supports that the positive effect of estrogen/gestagen on BMC can be explained by a reduction in the activation frequency of new remodeling cycles leading to a decreased remodeling space and an increase in mean bone age. There is no evidence of a positive balance per remodeling cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Abnormal calcium homeostasis in disabled stroke patients with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Disabled elderly stroke patients occasionally have very low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), which may be due to sunlight deprivation and malnutrition. Many of such patients have very low level of serum 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1, 25-[OH]2D; calcitriol), and immobilization-induced hypercalcemia may be responsible for inhibition of renal synthesis of calcitriol. To elucidate determinants of serum 1, 25-[OH]2D levels in elderly poststroke patients, we measured serum indices of bone and calcium metabolism and metacarpal bone mineral density (BMD). Patients whose serum 1, 25-[OH]2D concentration was below the mean-3 SD of normal control subjects were defined as the low 1, 25-[OH]2D group and the rest of the patients were designated as the normal group. Mean illness duration was 59 months in the normal group and 20 months in the low group. The Barthel index (BI), which predicts the degree of immobilization, was significantly lower in the low group than in the normal group. Mean serum 1, 25-[OH]2D and 25-OHD concentrations in the normal group were 36.7 pg/ml and 4.4 ng/ml, respectively; and those in the low group were 14.2 pg/ml and 1.8 ng/ml, respectively. Multiple regression analysis identified illness duration and calcium level as independent determinants of 1, 25-[OH]2D in both groups, and PTH in the normal group and 25-OHD in the low group were additional independent determinants. BMD in stroke patients was significantly lower than that in controls, and BMD in the normal group was lower as compared to the low group. BMD correlated negatively with 1, 25-[OH]2D and PTH in the normal group, and hyperparathyroidism may contribute to reduced BMD. These results suggest that treatment of decreased bone mass in stroke patients has to be individualized according to vitamin D status and calcium homeostasis.     

Bone loss after cardiac transplantation: Effects of calcium,calcidiol and monofluorophosphate

Of 203 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation and were given long-term treatment with cyclosporine and 0.3 mg/kg per day prednisone, 123 were studied prospectively for at least 6 months and 46 for up to 2 years to evaluate the effects on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and calcium metabolism of a combined therapy with calcium, calcidiol and disodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). The population was arbitrarily assigned to one of two groups. Group I consisted of patients who had a lumbar spine BMDZ score above –1.5 SD as compared with an age-and sex-matched population and no vertebral fractures. They received daily 1 g elemental calcium and 25 µg (1000 IU) calcidiol. Group II consisted of patients who received daily the same doses of calcium and calcidiol combined with 200 mg MFP, and was divided into two subgroups: (a) osteopenic subjects who had a lumbar spine BMD Z score below –1.5 SD without vertebral fractures and (b) osteoporotic subjects with vertebral fractures. If serum creatinine was higher than 140 µmol/l the daily dose of MFP was tapered to 100 mg. Fifty-four and 27 patients from group I and 38 and 19 patients from group II were followed respectively for 12 and 24 months. In both groups serum parathyroid hormone levels were significantly reduced from the twelfth month in parallel with a significant increase in serum 25-OHD levels. No decline in lumbar BMD occurred in non-osteopenic and non-osteoporotic patients (group I) who received the calcium and calcidiol supplement. In group II, where MFP was added, a significant and linear increase in lumbar BMD was observed. The average increase reached 12.5% after 12 months and 29.5% after 24 months (p<0.0001). The magnitude of the response was similar to the response previously reported in patients suffering from vertebral fractures due to postmenopausal osteoporosis and treated with the same daily dose of MFP. Because osteoporosis and fractures are not rare in patients after cardiac transplantation, these pilot results may be useful for further prevention and treatment trials of bone loss in this condition.