The Effects of Alendronate and Calcitonin on Cytokines in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A 6-Month Randomized and Controlled Study

摘要

The present study was designed to determine if levels of serum cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-2r, IL-6, IL-6r, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α are different in osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women, and to evaluate the effects of calcitonin and alendronate therapies over a six month period on serum cytokine levels in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Serum levels of IL-2, TNF-α and IL-8 were found to be significantly higher ( p In conclusion, we suggest that; 1) not only IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-11 but also IL-2, IL-8 and IL-10 may have roles in the etiopathogenesis of osteoporosis, 2) calcitonin therapy have a more distinct influence on serum levels of some cytokines and have an earlier effect than alendronate therapy (especially upon IL-2r, IL-8, and IL-10). Nevertheless, further longitudinal studies are needed to identify the cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and to evaluate the influence of different treatments on these cytokines.