Effects of vitamin D3, omega-3 s and a simple strength training exercise program on bone health: the DO-HEALTH randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on the effects of Vitamin D, omega-3 s and exercise on aBMD in healthy older adults is limited. We examined whether vitamin D3, omega-3 s, or a simple home-based exercise program (SHEP), alone or in combination, over three years, improve lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) or total hip (TH) aBMD assessed by DXA. METHODS: aBMD was a secondary outcome in DO-HEALTH, a 3-year, multicenter, double-blind, randomized 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design trial in generally healthy older adults age ≥ 70 years. The study interventions were vitamin D3 (2000IU/d), omega-3 s (1 g/d), and SHEP (3 × 30 min/wk), applied alone or in combination in 8 treatment arms. Mixed effect models were used adjusting for age, sex, BMI, prior fall, study site and baseline level of the outcome. Main effects were assessed in the absence of an interaction between the interventions. Subgroup analyses by sex, physical activity level, dietary calcium intake, serum 25(OH)D levels, and fracture history were conducted. RESULTS: DXA scans were available for 1493 participants (mean age 75 years; 80.4% were physically active, 44% had 25(OH)D levels <20 ng/ml). At the LS and FN sites, none of the treatments showed a benefit. At the TH, vitamin D vs. no vitamin D treatment showed a significant benefit across 3 years (difference in adjusted means [AM]: 0.0035 [95% CI 0.0011, 0.0059] g/cm2). Furthermore, there was a benefit for vitamin D vs. no vitamin D treatment on LS aBMD in the male subgroup of (interaction P = 0.003; ∆AM: 0.0070 [95% CI 0.0007, 0.0132] g/cm2). CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 and SHEP had no benefit on aBMD in healthy, active and largely vitamin D replete older adults. Our study suggests a small benefit of 2000 IU vitamin D daily on TH aBMD overall and LS aBMD among men, however, effect sizes were very modest and the clinical impact of these findings is unclear.

Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 s) and strength training are simple but promising strategies to improve bone health, however, their effect in healthy older adults over a period of three years was unclear. In this study, we examined whether daily vitamin D supplementation (2000 IU/d), daily omega-3 s supplementation (1 g/d) or a simple strength training program performed three times per week, either applied alone (e.g., only vitamin D supplements) or in combination (e.g., vitamin D and omega-3 s supplements) could improve bone density at the spine, hip or femoral neck. We included 1493 healthy older adults from Switzerland, Germany, France and Portugal who were at least 70 years of age and who had not experienced any major health events in the five years before study start. Taking omega-3 s supplements showed no benefit for bone density. Similarly, the simple strength exercise program showed no benefit. In contrast, participants receiving daily vitamin D supplements experienced a benefit at the hip. However, it should be noted that the effect across three years was very small.

Adherence to the MIND diet and the odds of mild cognitive impairment in generally healthy older adults: The 3-year DO-HEALTH study.

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet may slow cognitive decline in older adults. A potential mechanism could be possible anti-inflammatory properties of the MIND-diet. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether adherence to the MIND diet at baseline is associated with the odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and changes in biomarkers of inflammation (High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein(hsCRP), interleukin-6(IL-6)) over three years in adults ≥70 years. METHODS: Adherence to the MIND diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and after three years. Presence of MCI based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was defined as <26 (MCI26), or <24 (MCI24). We performed a minimally adjusted model controlling for sex, prior fall, linear spline at age 85, time, treatment and study site. The fully adjusted model also adjusted for education, BMI, physical activity, depression score, daily energy intake, and comorbidity score. To assess the change in inflammatory markers from baseline, we used linear-mixed-effect models adjusted for the same variables plus the respective baseline concentrations. Sensitivity analyses accounting for practice effects of repeated cognitive tests using the reliable change index for both MoCA cut-offs were done. RESULTS: We included 2028 of 2157 DO-HEALTH participants (60.5% women; mean age 74.88 years) with complete data. Adherence to the MIND diet at baseline was not associated with cognitive decline over three years, neither at MoCA < 26 (OR (95%CI) = 0.99 (0.94-1.04)) nor at MoCA < 24 (OR (95%CI) = 1.03 (0.96-1.1)). Applying the reliable change index to the two cut-offs confirmed the findings. Further, the MIND diet adherence was not associated with the change in MoCA score from baseline in DO-HEALTH. For inflammatory biomarkers MIND-diet baseline adherence was not associated with changes in hsCRP or IL-6. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the MIND-diet was neither associated with the odds of MCI, nor with hsCRP or IL-6 at baseline. Moreover, change in MIND-diet over three years was not associated with changes in hsCRP or IL-6.

Inflammatory Kidney and Liver Tissue Response to Different Hydroxyethylstarch (HES) Preparations in a Rat Model of Early Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Tissue hypoperfusion and inflammation in sepsis can lead to organ failure including kidney and liver. In sepsis, mortality of acute kidney injury increases by more than 50%. Which type of volume replacement should be used is still an ongoing debate. We investigated the effect of different volume strategies on inflammatory mediators in kidney and liver in an early sepsis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and assigned to three fluid replenishment groups. Animals received 30mL/kg of Ringer's lactate (RL) for 2h, thereafter RL (75mL/kg), hydroxyethyl starch (HES) balanced (25mL/kg), containing malate and acetate, or HES saline (25mL/kg) for another 2h. Kidney and liver tissue was assessed for inflammation. In vitro rat endothelial cells were exposed to RL, HES balanced or HES saline for 2h, followed by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for another 4h. Alternatively, cells were exposed to malate, acetate or a mixture of malate and acetate, reflecting the according concentration of these substances in HES balanced. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined in cell supernatants. RESULTS: Cytokine mRNA in kidney and liver was increased in CLP animals treated with HES balanced compared to RL, but not after application of HES saline. MCP-1 was 3.5fold (95% CI: 1.3, 5.6) (p<0.01) and TNF-α 2.3fold (95% CI: 1.2, 3.3) (p<0.001) upregulated in the kidney. Corresponding results were seen in liver tissue. TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells co-exposed to RL expressed 3529±1040pg/mL MCP-1 and 59±23pg/mL CINC-1 protein. These cytokines increased by 2358pg/mL (95% CI: 1511, 3204) (p<0.001) and 29pg/ml (95% CI: 14, 45) (p<0.01) respectively when exposed to HES balanced instead. However, no further upregulation was observed with HES saline. PBS supplemented with acetate increased MCP-1 by 1325pg/mL (95% CI: 741, 1909) (p<0.001) and CINC-1 by 24pg/mL (95% CI: 9, 38) (p<0.01) compared to RL. Malate as well as HES saline did not affect cytokine expression. CONCLUSION: We identified HES balanced and specifically its component acetate as pro-inflammatory factor. How important this additional inflammatory burden on kidney and liver function is contributing to the sepsis-associated inflammatory burden in early sepsis needs further evaluation.

Increases in hip and spine bone mineral density are predictive for vertebral antifracture efficacy with ibandronate.

The relationship between bisphosphonate-induced bone mineral density (BMD) gains and antifracture efficacy remains to be fully elucidated. Data from two antifracture studies were analyzed. Postmenopausal osteoporotic women received oral (2.5 mg daily, 20 mg intermittent) or intravenous (0.5 mg, 1 mg quarterly) ibandronate. Outcome measures included moving averages plots and logistic regression analyses of the relationship between BMD change and vertebral fracture rate. In moving averages plots, ibandronate-induced BMD gains were consistently associated with decreased fracture rates. In the oral study, total-hip BMD increases at years 2 and 3 and lumbar spine BMD increases at year 3 were associated with 3-year vertebral fracture rate (relative risk reduction [RRR] at year 3 for 1% change from baseline: hip, 7.9% [95% CI 2.1-13.5%, P = 0.0084]; lumbar spine, 4.7% [-0.1% to 9.3%, P = 0.0565]). In the intravenous study, total-hip BMD increases at years 1, 2, and 3 and lumbar spine BMD increases at years 2 and 3 were significantly associated with vertebral fracture rate (RRR at year 3 for 1% change from baseline: hip, 11.6% [7.0-16.0%, P < 0.0001]; lumbar spine, 6.9% [2.9-10.6%, P = 0.0008]). In a pooled analysis, changes in total-hip and lumbar spine BMD were associated with 3-year vertebral fracture risk reduction and explained a substantial proportion of the antifracture effect (23-37% at 2 and 3 years). This analysis suggests that ibandronate-induced BMD gain in postmenopausal osteoporotic women is associated with vertebral fracture risk reduction.

Perioperative tidal volume and intra-operative open lung strategy in healthy lungs: where are we going?

Tidal volumes have tremendously decreased over the last decades from <15 ml kg(-1) to approximately 6 ml kg(-1) actual body weight. Guidelines, widely agreed and used, exist for patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, it is questionable if data created in patients with acute lung injury or ARDS from ventilation on intensive care units can be transferred to healthy patients undergoing surgery. Consensus criteria regarding this topic are still missing because only a few randomised controlled trials have been performed to date, focussing on the use of the best intra-operative tidal volume. The same problem has been observed regarding the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and intra-operative lung recruitment. This article provides an overview of the current literature addressing the size of tidal volume, the use of PEEP and the application of the open-lung concept in patients without acute lung injury or ARDS. Pathophysiological aspects of mechanical ventilation are elucidated.

The effect of hydroxyethyl starches (HES 130/0.42 and HES 200/0.5) on activated renal tubular epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure is a frequent complication of sepsis. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is widely used in the treatment of such patients. However, the effect of HES on renal function during sepsis remains controversial. We established an in vitro model of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated human proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells to assess the possible effects of HES 130/0.42 and HES 200/0.5 on these activated cells. METHODS: HK-2 cells were stimulated with TNF-alpha in the presence or absence of HES 130/0.42 or 200/0.5. After 4, 10, and 18 h of incubation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a key chemoattractant for neutrophils and macrophages, was measured. In addition, viability and cytotoxicity assays were performed. RESULTS: MCP-1 expression was doubled upon TNF-alpha exposure. In the presence of 2% and 4% HES 200/0.5 in 98% (96%) medium over a stimulation time period of 10 h and 18 h, the MCP-1 concentration was decreased between 26% and 56% (P < 0.05). TNF-alpha stimulation resulted in a significant decrease of viability by 53%-63%, whereas viability decreased by only 32%-40% in coincubation with HES 130/0.42 (P < 0.005) and remained even less affected by TNF-alpha in the presence of HES 200/0.5 (P < 0.001). The TNF-alpha-induced cell death rate was attenuated in the presence of HES 200/0.5 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study shows that both HES products modulate cell injury upon inflammatory stimulation. The effect was more pronounced in the HES 200/0.5 group than for HES 130/0.42, suggesting a possible biological difference between the HES types.

Sevoflurane ameliorates gas exchange and attenuates lung damage in experimental lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury is a common complication in critically ill patients. Several studies suggest that volatile anesthetics have immunomodulating effects. The aim of the current study was to assess possible postconditioning with sevoflurane in an in vivo model of endotoxin-induced lung injury. METHODS: Rats were anesthetized, tracheotomized, and mechanically ventilated. Lipopolysaccharide (saline as control) was administered intratracheally. Upon injury after 2 h of propofol anesthesia, general anesthesia was continued with either sevoflurane or propofol for 4 h. Arterial blood gases were measured every 2 h. After 6 h of injury, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and lungs were collected. Total cell count, albumin content, concentrations of the cytokines cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and phospholipids were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Expression of messenger RNA for the two cytokines and for surfactant protein B was determined in lung tissue. Histopathologic examination of the lung was performed. RESULTS: Significant improvement of the ratio of oxygen tension to inspired oxygen fraction was shown with sevoflurane (mean + or - SD: 243 + or - 94 mmHg [32.4 kPa]) compared with propofol (88 + or - 19 mmHg [11.7 kPa]). Total cell count representing effector cell recruitment as well as albumin content as a measure of lung permeability were significantly decreased in the sevoflurane-lipopolysaccharide group compared with the propofol-lipopolysaccharide group in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Expression of the cytokines protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as messenger RNA in lung tissue was significantly lower in the sevoflurane-lipopolysaccharide group compared with the propofol-lipopolysaccharide group. CONCLUSIONS: Postconditioning with sevoflurane attenuates lung damage and preserves lung function in an in vivo model of acute lung injury.

Anesthetic-induced improvement of the inflammatory response to one-lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Although one-lung ventilation (OLV) has become an established procedure during thoracic surgery, sparse data exist about inflammatory alterations in the deflated, reventilated lung. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the effect of OLV on the pulmonary inflammatory response and to assess possible immunomodulatory effects of the anesthetics propofol and sevoflurane. METHODS: Fifty-four adults undergoing thoracic surgery with OLV were randomly assigned to receive either anesthesia with intravenously applied propofol or the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane. A bronchoalveolar lavage was performed before and after OLV on the lung side undergoing surgery. Inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1beta, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and cells were analyzed in lavage fluid as the primary endpoint. The clinical outcome determined by postoperative adverse events was assessed as the secondary endpoint. RESULTS: The increase of inflammatory mediators on OLV was significantly less pronounced in the sevoflurane group. No difference in neutrophil recruitment was found between the groups. A positive correlation between neutrophils and mediators was demonstrated in the propofol group, whereas this correlation was missing in the sevoflurane group. The number of composite adverse events was significantly lower in the sevoflurane group. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized clinical study suggests an immunomodulatory role for the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane in patients undergoing OLV for thoracic surgery with significant reduction of inflammatory mediators and a significantly better clinical outcome (defined by postoperative adverse events) during sevoflurane anesthesia.

Ropivacaine decreases inflammation in experimental endotoxin-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Endotoxin causes acute lung injury, which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Because local anesthetics are known to attenuate inflammatory reactions, ropivacaine was tested for its possible antiinflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in rat alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) and rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (RPAECs) in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: AECs and RPAECs were stimulated for 4 h with lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide and 1 mum ropivacaine. Messenger RNA (mRNA) for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was assessed. Isolated neutrophils were incubated with stimulated target cells to quantify adhesion and neutrophil-induced cytotoxicity in AECs and RPAECs. In vivo, lipopolysaccharide was instilled intratracheally with or without 1 mm intratracheally or intravenously administered ropivacaine. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 5 h later to determine neutrophil and albumin content, as well as concentrations of inflammatory mediators. RESULTS: In AECs and RPAECs, ropivacaine attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of mRNA for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 by 41% and 24%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the presence of ropivacaine, increased neutrophil adhesion was down-regulated by 58% and 44% (P < 0.005), whereas cytotoxicity in AECs and RPAECs was diminished by 28% and 33%, respectively (P < 0.05). Enhanced neutrophil count in lipopolysaccharide lungs was reduced by 56% in the presence of intratracheally instilled ropivacaine (81% with intravenous ropivacaine; P < 0.005). Albumin was decreased by 46% with intratracheal ropivacaine (38% with intravenous ropivacaine; P < 0.05), and inflammatory mediators were decreased by 48-59% (69-81% with intravenous ropivacaine; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine intervention substantially attenuated the inflammatory response in acute lung injury and thus may carry an interesting potential for antiinflammatory treatment.

Oral ibandronate in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: review of upper gastrointestinal safety.

Oral daily bisphosphonates carry a potential for gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, which has been partly addressed by introducing once-weekly regimens. Nevertheless, the need to follow inconvenient dosing instructions every week could still hinder long-term compliance and therapeutic outcome. In addition, survey data indicates that many patients would prefer a once-monthly rather than once-weekly bisphosphonate dosing regimen. Ibandronate is a potent, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate specifically developed for less frequent administration. In a pivotal study in postmenopausal osteoporosis, oral ibandronate, administered daily or with a between-dose interval of >2 months, demonstrated robust antifracture efficacy and an overall incidence of upper GI adverse events similar to placebo, even in patients at increased risk of such events. This and other clinical studies conducted in postmenopausal women demonstrate that oral ibandronate has an excellent upper GI safety profile.

Inflammatory response of tracheobronchial epithelial cells to endotoxin.

Respiratory epithelial cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response in endotoxin-induced lung injury, an experimental model for acute lung injury. To determine the role of epithelial cells in the upper respiratory compartment in the inflammatory response to endotoxin, we exposed tracheobronchial epithelial cells (TBEC) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Expression of inflammatory mediators was analyzed, and the biological implications were assessed using chemotaxis and adherence assays. Epithelial cell necrosis and apoptosis were determined to identify LPS-induced cell damage. Treatment of TBEC with LPS induced enhanced protein expression of cytokines and chemokines (increases of 235-654%, P < 0.05), with increased chemotactic activity regarding neutrophil recruitment. Expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was enhanced by 52-101% (P < 0.0001). This upregulation led to increased adhesion of neutrophils, with >95% adherence to TBEC after LPS stimulation, which could be blocked by either ICAM-1 (69%) or VCAM-1 antibodies (55%) (P < 0.05). Enhanced neutrophil-induced necrosis of TBEC was observed when TBEC were exposed to LPS. Reduced neutrophil adherence by ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 antibodies resulted in significantly lower TBEC death (52 and 34%, respectively, P < 0.05). Therefore, tight adherence of neutrophils to TBEC appears to promote epithelial cell killing. In addition to indirect effector cell-induced TBEC death, direct LPS-induced cell damage was seen with increased apoptosis rate in LPS-stimulated TBEC (36% increase of caspase-3, P < 0.01). These data provide evidence that LPS induces TBEC killing in a necrosis- and apoptosis-dependent manner.

Ibandronate: the first once-monthly oral bisphosphonate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a major healthcare problem that continues growing as the population ages. Sufferers become increasingly susceptible to fractures, which compromise physical and emotional health and increase healthcare costs. Bisphosphonates are the most widely used medicines for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, therapeutic adherence is suboptimal, meaning that outcomes demonstrated in clinical trials are not realized in the real world. It is anticipated that reducing dosing frequency may facilitate medication intake and thereby improve adherence. Ibandronate is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate specifically developed for administration with long dose-free intervals. The comprehensive ibandronate preclinical development program has demonstrated dose-dependent improvements or preservation of bone quality and strength. The feasibility of intermittent dosing using the same total dose level as continuous dosing was also confirmed. In postmenopausal osteoporosis, once-monthly oral ibandronate has been shown to be therapeutically equivalent and even superior to daily oral ibandronate, which has demonstrated antifracture efficacy for vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, bone mineral density gains at the spine and hip, and reduction in bone resorption to premenopausal levels. Once-monthly oral ibandronate is also associated with excellent safety and tolerability, and promises to further improve therapeutic adherence to bisphosphonate treatment, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Safety and tolerability of oral daily and intermittent ibandronate are not influenced by age.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of osteoporosis increases exponentially with age. Elderly patients, who are often frail, have declining functional status and take multiple medications, and require osteoporosis therapies that are not only effective, but also very well tolerated. Ibandronate is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that can be given intermittently with extended between-dose intervals. Oral daily and intermittent ibandronate (interval between doses > 2 mo) was found to significantly reduce the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures by 62% and 50%, respectively, compared with calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone. We investigated the effect of age on the safety profile of oral daily and intermittent ibandronate, with particular emphasis on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) safety profile of ibandronate. METHODS: A predefined subgroup analysis examined the tolerability of oral ibandronate in women aged < 70 and > or = 70 years. RESULTS: The incidence of adverse events in patients aged > or = 70 years receiving oral daily and intermittent ibandronate was similar and comparable to placebo. The incidence of upper GI adverse events, including dyspepsia and esophagitis, was also similar between the 2 treatment groups and placebo. CONCLUSION: Older patients (> or = 70 yrs) receiving oral daily and intermittent ibandronate are at no greater risk of adverse events than older patients receiving placebo. Older patients were at no greater risk of upper GI adverse events than younger patients or patients receiving placebo. As a result of the good efficacy and tolerability observed in this trial, a once-monthly oral regimen of ibandronate is in late-stage clinical development.

Pulmonary aspiration: new therapeutic approaches in the experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury caused by gastric aspiration is a frequent occurrence in unconscious patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in association with gastric aspiration carries a mortality of up to 30% and accounts for up to 20% of deaths associated with anesthesia. Although the clinical condition is well known, knowledge about the exact inflammatory mechanisms is still incomplete. This study was performed to define the role of alveolar macrophages in this inflammatory response. In addition, potentially modifying effects of intratracheally applied nuclear factor kappaB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate were investigated. METHODS: Rat alveolar macrophages were depleted by intratracheal administration of clodronate liposomes, and lung injury was evaluated 6 h after instillation of 0.1N hydrochloric acid. In a second set of experiments, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was intratracheally instilled 3 h after hydrochloric acid application, and injury parameters were determined. RESULTS: Depletion of alveolar macrophages resulted in decreased production of inflammatory mediators in acid aspiration (23-80% reduction of messenger RNA or protein of inflammatory mediators; P < 0.05) and consequently also in diminished neutrophil recruitment (36% fewer neutrophils; P < 0.01). Treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was highly effective in decreasing neutrophil recruitment (66%; P < 0.01) and vascular permeability (80%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that alveolar macrophages play an essential role in the inflammatory response of acid-induced lung injury. For the first time, attenuation of acid-induced lung injury with an inhibitor, applied after the onset of injury, is shown.

Alveolar macrophages regulate neutrophil recruitment in endotoxin-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar macrophages play an important role during the development of acute inflammatory lung injury. In the present study, in vivo alveolar macrophage depletion was performed by intratracheal application of dichloromethylene diphosphonate-liposomes in order to study the role of these effector cells in the early endotoxin-induced lung injury. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide was applied intratracheally and the inflammatory reaction was assessed 4 hours later. Neutrophil accumulation and expression of inflammatory mediators were determined. To further analyze in vivo observations, in vitro experiments with alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages were performed. RESULTS: A 320% increase of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was observed in macrophage-depleted compared to macrophage-competent lipopolysaccharide-animals. This neutrophil recruitment was also confirmed in the interstitial space. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased in the absence of alveolar macrophages. This phenomenon was underlined by in vitro experiments with alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. Neutralizing monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the airways diminished neutrophil accumulation. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that alveolar macrophages play an important role in early endotoxin-induced lung injury. They prevent neutrophil influx by controlling monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production through alveolar epithelial cells. Alveolar macrophages might therefore possess robust anti-inflammatory effects.

Ibandronate produces significant, similar antifracture efficacy in North American and European women: new clinical findings from BONE.

OBJECTIVES: BONE (oral iBandronate Osteoporosis vertebral fracture trial in North America and Europe) determined whether less frequent dosing of ibandronate (dose-free interval > 2 months) provided similar antifracture efficacy to daily dosing. As osteoporosis medications must be effective across different populations, an additional objective of BONE was to investigate and report the effect of oral ibandronate in North American and European women, as described here. PATIENTS AND METHODS: BONE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fractureprevention study in 2946 postmenopausal women (age 55 years-80 years; > or = 5 years since menopause) with osteoporosis (low lumbar spine bone mineral density and one to four prevalent vertebral fractures [T4-L4]). Participants received daily calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU) plus either placebo, oral daily ibandronate (2.5 mg) or oral intermittent ibandronate (20 mg every other day for 12 doses every 3 months). The efficacy and tolerability of ibandronate were assessed independently in both North American and European populations. RESULTS: Consistent, significant efficacy was observed in the North American (new vertebral fracture risk reduction: 60% and 54% with daily and intermittent ibandronate, respectively) and European patient populations (50% and 48%, respectively). Both ibandronate regimens also significantly reduced the incidence of new, worsening, and acute clinical, vertebral fractures. Daily and intermittent ibandronate significantly increased bone density at the spine in both North American (5.4% and 4.4% vs. baseline with daily and intermittent ibandronate, respectively) and European (7.1% and 6.3% vs. baseline, respectively) populations. Significant increases were also observed for total hip bone density (2.6% and 3.7% vs. baseline for daily, and 2.5% and 3.1% for intermittent; North American and European populations, respectively). Comparable, significant decreases in biochemical markers of bone turnover (reductions in urinary excretion of C-telopeptide levels of 53.5% and 67.1% vs. baseline for daily, and 50.0% and 53.8% for intermittent; North American and European populations, respectively) were also observed in both populations (p < 0.004 for all cited measurements in each ibandronate group vs. placebo). Oral ibandronate was well tolerated in both North American and European patients, with a safety profile similar to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Oral ibandronate, administered daily or intermittently, effectively reduced vertebral fracture risk in North American and European women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. These results demonstrate the efficacy of ibandronate administered with extended dose-free intervals, regardless of patients' geographical origin. Research investigating other less frequent ibandronate regimens, such as once-monthly oral administration, is underway.

A semimechanistic and mechanistic population PK-PD model for biomarker response to ibandronate, a new bisphosphonate for the treatment of osteoporosis.

AIMS: Ibandronate, a highly potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, is the subject of an ongoing clinical development programme that aims to maximize the potential of simplified, less frequent oral and intravenous (i.v.) administration in osteoporosis. A modelling and simulation project was undertaken to characterize further the clinical pharmacology of ibandronate and identify convenient intermittent oral and i.v. regimens for clinical evaluation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using selected data from clinical studies involving 174 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), a classical multicompartmental pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was developed that accurately described the PK of i.v. ibandronate in plasma and urine and urinary excretion of the C-telopeptide of the alpha chain of type I collagen (uCTX), a sensitive biomarker of PD response to ibandronate. To reduce processing times, the classical PK-PD model was simplified using a "kinetics of drug action" or kinetic (K)-PD model (i.e. a dose-response model as opposed to a dose-concentration-response model). The performance of the K-PD model was evaluated by fitting data simulated with the PK-PD model under various dosing regimens. The simplified model produced a virtually indistinguishable fit of the data from that of the PK-PD model. The K-PD model was extended to consider the influence of supplemental therapy (calcium with or without vitamin D) on the PD response and validated by retrospectively simulating the uCTX response in a prior Phase III and Phase II/III study of i.v. ibandronate, given once every 3 months, in 3380 women with PMO. The observed median uCTX responses at the scheduled assessment points in the completed studies were within the distribution of the simulated responses. The K-PD model for i.v. ibandronate was extended further to allow simultaneous fitting of uCTX responses after i.v. and oral administration in 676 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, and validated by retrospectively simulating the data observed in a Phase I study of oral daily ibandronate in 180 women with PMO. The K-PD model adequately described the uCTX response after oral dosing. CONCLUSIONS: This validated K-PD model is currently being used to evaluate a range of novel intermittent oral and i.v. ibandronate regimens in an ongoing clinical development programme.

Effects of oral ibandronate administered daily or intermittently on fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: Oral daily (2.5 mg) and intermittent ibandronate (between-dose interval of >2 months), delivering a similar cumulative exposure, were evaluated in 2946 osteoporotic women with prevalent vertebral fracture. Significant reduction in incident vertebral fracture risk by 62% and 50%, respectively, was shown after 3 years. This is the first study to prospectively show antifracture efficacy for the intermittent administration of a bisphosphonate. INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonates are important therapeutics in postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, they are currently associated with stringent dosing instructions that may impair patient compliance and hence therapeutic efficacy. Less frequent, intermittent administration may help to overcome these deficiencies. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of oral ibandronate administered either daily or intermittently with a dose-free interval of >2 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study enrolled 2946 postmenopausal women with a BMD T score < or = -2.0 at the lumbar spine in at least one vertebra (L1-L4) and one to four prevalent vertebral fractures (T4-L4). Patients received placebo or oral ibandronate administered either daily (2.5 mg) or intermittently (20 mg every other day for 12 doses every 3 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After 3 years, the rate of new vertebral fractures was significantly reduced in patients receiving oral daily (4.7%) and intermittent ibandronate (4.9%), relative to placebo (9.6%). Thus, daily and intermittent oral ibandronate significantly reduced the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures by 62% (p = 0.0001) and 50% (p = 0.0006), respectively, versus placebo. Both treatment groups also produced a statistically significant relative risk reduction in clinical vertebral fractures (49% and 48% for daily and intermittent ibandronate, respectively). Significant and progressive increases in lumbar spine (6.5%, 5.7%, and 1.3% for daily ibandronate, intermittent ibandronate, and placebo, respectively, at 3 years) and hip BMD, normalization of bone turnover, and significantly less height loss than in the placebo group were also observed for both ibandronate regimens. The overall population was at low risk for osteoporotic fractures. Consequently, the incidence of nonvertebral fractures was similar between the ibandronate and placebo groups after 3 years (9.1%, 8.9%, and 8.2% in the daily, intermittent, and placebo groups, respectively; difference between arms not significant). However, findings from a posthoc analysis showed that the daily regimen reduces the risk of nonvertebral fractures (69%; p = 0.012) in a higher-risk subgroup (femoral neck BMD T score < -3.0). In addition, oral ibandronate was well tolerated. Oral ibandronate, whether administered daily or intermittently with an extended between-dose interval of >2 months, is highly effective in reducing the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. This is the first time that significant fracture efficacy has been prospectively shown with an intermittently administered bisphosphonate in the overall study population of a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Thus, oral ibandronate holds promise as an effective and convenient alternative to current bisphosphonate therapies.

Acid-induced lung injury: role of nuclear factor-kappaB.

BACKGROUND: Aspiration of acidic gastric contents leads to acute lung injury and is still one of the most common clinical events associated with acute lung injury. This study was performed to assess acid-induced lung inflammation in vitro and in vivo with respect to the time pattern of activated transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and proinflammatory molecules. METHODS: L2 cells (alveolar epithelial cells) were exposed for various periods to a medium with a pH of 6. In the in vivo model, 1 ml/kg of 0.1 n acidic solution was instilled into the lungs of rats. NF-kappaB binding activity and expression pattern of inflammatory mediators were determined. Blocking studies were performed with the NF-kappaB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. RESULTS: In vitro NF-kappaB binding activity showed a biphasic expression pattern with a first peak at 1 h and a second one at 6-8 h. In acid-injured rat lungs, NF-kappaB binding activity was confirmed in a biphasic manner with a first increase at 0.5-2 h (608 +/- 93% and 500 +/- 15%, respectively, P < 0.05) and a second peak at 8 h (697 +/- 35% increase, P < 0.005). Whole lung mRNA for macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 showed a similar expression pattern, which could explain the biphasic neutrophil recruitment. Intratracheal pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuated lung injury as evidenced by a reduction of neutrophil accumulation and expression of inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that NF-kappaB binding activity plays a key role in molecular and cellular events in acid-induced lung injury.

Efficacy and safety of oral weekly ibandronate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Adherence to oral daily bisphosphonate regimens in postmenopausal osteoporosis is currently suboptimal. Less frequent dosing regimens are likely to improve patient adherence and thus, potentially, patient outcomes. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority study was conducted in 235 women (53-80 yr old; time since menopause >/==" BORDER="0"> 3 yr) with postmenopausal osteoporosis [lumbar spine (L1-L4) bone mineral density (BMD) T-score