There are good reasons to be interested in the interaction of bone anabolic agents and mechanical usage. For one thing, today only a few agents, namely fluroride (NaF), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and prostaglandins (PGE_1 and PE_2) are able to increase bone mass. The effect of lfuoride on fractures is not clear, and the safety margin of this drug is relatively marrwo. PTH is still under clinical investigation (Fleisch, 1997). Another reason is that, although the adaptability of the skeleton to mechanical loading is well established exercise can only improve bone mass in young but not in older women (Forwood and Burr, 1993). Lastly, the mechanical loading environment could enhance or limit the effectiveness of the therapy with bone anabolic agents for the treatment of established osteoporosis (Frost 1992b, 1997; Lanyon 1998).
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