The Effect Of Prostaglandin E₁ On Human Bone Metabolism: Evaluation By Biochemical Markers For Bone Turnover.

Abstract

Prostaglandins (PGs) have complex and multiple effects on bone metabolism. Although the osteogenic effect of PGE in humans was initially found in an infant with a congenital heart disease, there have been few reports on the effect of PGE in human in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PGE₁ on human bone metabolism, using biochemical bone markers. A total of 18 subjects were treated with PGE₁ in lipid microspheres. Six subjects were given 10 μg of lipo-PGE₁ intravenously daily for 14 days, and twelve subjects were given the same dose twice a week for 7 weeks. Before and after the administration of PGE₁, blood and a spot urine was obtained in the morning. Bone formation markers (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, procollagen I carboxy-terminal peptide) did not change. In the subjects with daily administration for 2 weeks, type I collagen pyridinolines crosslinked C-telopeptide (ICTP) increased significantly. In the subjects treated twice a week, free deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) increased significantly. When all subjects were analyzed, bone resorption markers (ICTP and Dpd) increased, but not significantly <p=0.055 for ICTP, p=0.055 for Dpd). Therefore, PGE₁ at the dosage used in this study did not increase bone formation but increased bone resorption in humans.