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Short-term reduction in bone markers with high-dose simvastatin

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Abstract

The effect of statins on bone mass and fracture rates is uncertain. Therefore, we investigated whether statin therapy acutely altered bone turnover as measured by changes in bone serum markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and type I collagen N-telopeptide cross-links). Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 (M/F 39/16) healthy nonsmoking adults (mean ± standard deviation: age, 50.4±7.5 years; body mass index, 27.8±4.9 kg/m2) with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations between 3.38–4.90 mmol/l. Subjects were randomized to four possible 8-week treatment regimens: placebo (n =14), pravastatin 40 mg/daily (n =12), simvastatin 20 mg/daily (n =14) or simvastatin 80 mg/daily (n =15). High-dose simvastatin (80 mg/daily) produced a significant reduction in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase as compared with other treatment regimens (p =0.009). However, there were no changes in urinary N-telopeptide cross-links, a sensitive marker of bone resorption. Short-term use of high-dose simvastatin lowers the level of the serum bone marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, which suggests the possibility of reduced bone turnover.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the technical expertise of Heather Price, MS, and the contributions of Anna Huskin, BS, RN, and David Wolff, MS, who provided clinical and laboratory support for the trial of low-dose simvastatin in postmenopausal women. Bristol-Myers Squibb provided research support for the Statin Therapy and Immunological Markers (STIM) project. Merck provided research support for the trial of low-dose simvastatin in postmenopausal women. The funding sources had no involvement in this project

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Preventive Cardiology Center, Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Robert S. Rosenson

  2. Division of Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Christine C. Tangney

  3. Division of Kidney Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA

    Craig B. Langman

  4. The Rogosin Institute, New York, NY, USA

    Thomas S. Parker, Daniel M. Levine & Bruce R. Gordon

  5. Preventive Cardiology Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 201 E. Huron Street, Galter Pavilion, Suite 11-120, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Robert S. Rosenson

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  1. Robert S. Rosenson
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  2. Christine C. Tangney
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  3. Craig B. Langman
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  4. Thomas S. Parker
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  5. Daniel M. Levine
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Correspondence to Robert S. Rosenson.

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Rosenson, R.S., Tangney, C.C., Langman, C.B. et al. Short-term reduction in bone markers with high-dose simvastatin. Osteoporos Int 16, 1272–1276 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-1897-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-1897-1

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