Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?

Abstract Background Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a family of molecules characterized by two key properties: their ability to bind strongly to bone mineral and their inhibitory effects on mature osteoclasts and thus bone resorption. Chemically two groups of BPs are recognized, non-nitrogen-containing an...

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Main Authors: Alexis Mitchell, Ashlee E. Watts, Frank H. Ebetino, Larry J. Suva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-06-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-019-1966-x
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author Alexis Mitchell
Ashlee E. Watts
Frank H. Ebetino
Larry J. Suva
author_facet Alexis Mitchell
Ashlee E. Watts
Frank H. Ebetino
Larry J. Suva
author_sort Alexis Mitchell
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a family of molecules characterized by two key properties: their ability to bind strongly to bone mineral and their inhibitory effects on mature osteoclasts and thus bone resorption. Chemically two groups of BPs are recognized, non-nitrogen-containing and nitrogen-containing BPs. Non-nitrogen-containing BPs incorporate into the energy pathways of the osteoclast, resulting in disrupted cellular energy metabolism leading to cytotoxic effects and osteoclast apoptosis. Nitrogen-containing BPs primarily inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis resulting in the disruption of intracellular signaling, and other cellular processes in the osteoclast. Body BPs also exert a wide range of physiologic activities beyond merely the inhibition of bone resorption. Indeed, the breadth of reported activities include inhibition of cancer cell metastases, proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. In addition, the inhibition of angiogenesis, matrix metalloproteinase activity, altered cytokine and growth factor expression, and reductions in pain have been reported. In humans, clinical BP use has transformed the treatment of both post-menopausal osteoporosis and metastatic breast and prostate cancer. However, BP use has also resulted in significant adverse events including acute-phase reactions, esophagitis, gastritis, and an association with very infrequent atypical femoral fractures (AFF) and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Conclusion Despite the well-characterized health benefits of BP use in humans, little is known regarding the effects of BPs in the horse. In the equine setting, only non-nitrogen-containing BPs are FDA-approved primarily for the treatment of navicular syndrome. The focus here is to discuss the current understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of BPs in equine veterinary medicine and highlight the future utility of these potentially highly beneficial drugs.
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spelling doaj.art-1e6238d214f141d5b2107b1073d3a2f72022-12-21T19:06:06ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482019-06-011511710.1186/s12917-019-1966-xBisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?Alexis Mitchell0Ashlee E. Watts1Frank H. Ebetino2Larry J. Suva3Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical SciencesDepartment of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, University of RochesterDepartment of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical SciencesAbstract Background Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a family of molecules characterized by two key properties: their ability to bind strongly to bone mineral and their inhibitory effects on mature osteoclasts and thus bone resorption. Chemically two groups of BPs are recognized, non-nitrogen-containing and nitrogen-containing BPs. Non-nitrogen-containing BPs incorporate into the energy pathways of the osteoclast, resulting in disrupted cellular energy metabolism leading to cytotoxic effects and osteoclast apoptosis. Nitrogen-containing BPs primarily inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis resulting in the disruption of intracellular signaling, and other cellular processes in the osteoclast. Body BPs also exert a wide range of physiologic activities beyond merely the inhibition of bone resorption. Indeed, the breadth of reported activities include inhibition of cancer cell metastases, proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. In addition, the inhibition of angiogenesis, matrix metalloproteinase activity, altered cytokine and growth factor expression, and reductions in pain have been reported. In humans, clinical BP use has transformed the treatment of both post-menopausal osteoporosis and metastatic breast and prostate cancer. However, BP use has also resulted in significant adverse events including acute-phase reactions, esophagitis, gastritis, and an association with very infrequent atypical femoral fractures (AFF) and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Conclusion Despite the well-characterized health benefits of BP use in humans, little is known regarding the effects of BPs in the horse. In the equine setting, only non-nitrogen-containing BPs are FDA-approved primarily for the treatment of navicular syndrome. The focus here is to discuss the current understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of BPs in equine veterinary medicine and highlight the future utility of these potentially highly beneficial drugs.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-019-1966-xBisphosphonateBone resorptionEndocrinology-equineNavicular syndrome
spellingShingle Alexis Mitchell
Ashlee E. Watts
Frank H. Ebetino
Larry J. Suva
Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
BMC Veterinary Research
Bisphosphonate
Bone resorption
Endocrinology-equine
Navicular syndrome
title Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
title_full Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
title_fullStr Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
title_full_unstemmed Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
title_short Bisphosphonate use in the horse: what is good and what is not?
title_sort bisphosphonate use in the horse what is good and what is not
topic Bisphosphonate
Bone resorption
Endocrinology-equine
Navicular syndrome
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-019-1966-x
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