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Effects of short-term high dose, heparin therapy on biochemical markers of bone metabolism

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Summary

To evaluate the effects of the short-term, high-dose sodium heparin therapy on biochemical markers of bone metabolism, we studied 20 patients (11 males and 9 females) with pulmonary embolism, treated with sodium heparin (daily dose range: 40.000–45.000 I.U. by continuous i.v.infusion). Heparin therapy lasted 5–7 days, after which patients received warfarin over 12 months. Eleven patients (6 males and 5 females) with ischaemic stroke, treated with i.v.glycerol and pentoxifilline, were used as controls. Before and after therapy serum and urinary markers of bone metabolism were evaluated; in 12 heparin-treated pts., the parameters were also evaluated 4 months after discontinuation of warfarin therapy. After heparin therapy a significant reduction vs. basal value was observed in levels of serum osteocalcin (ng/ml;mean+SEM):3.32+0.19 vs. 2.05+0.21; p<0.001. In the 12 patients evaluated 4 months after discontinuation of warfarin therapy, serum osteocalcin levels returned to basal value: 3,41+0.12 ng/ml (p:n.s.). No significant changes of the examined parameters were observal in controls. In conclusion, our data seem to indicate an effect of i. v. short-term heparin therapy on bone metabolism. This effect seems to be characterized by an inhibition of osteoblast function as suggested by the reduction of serum osteocalcin levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. II Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Prato, via Piero della Francesca, 12, 50047, Prato, ITALY

    L. Niccoli, F. Bellandi & O. Di. Munno

  2. Rheumatic Diseases Unit, University of Pisa, Italy

    F. Cantini

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  1. F. Cantini
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  2. L. Niccoli
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  3. F. Bellandi
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  4. O. Di. Munno
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Cantini, F., Niccoli, L., Bellandi, F. et al. Effects of short-term high dose, heparin therapy on biochemical markers of bone metabolism. Clin Rheumatol 14, 663–666 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207933

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207933

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