ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2007 | Volume
: 17
| Issue : 2 | Page : 61-65 |
Efficacy and safety of alendronate in the prevention of bone loss in renal transplant recipients
H Shahbazian, K Mowla, HB Shahbazian, B Peydayesh, A Ehsanpour
Jondi Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran
Correspondence Address:
H Shahbazian Department of Kidney Transplantation, Golestan Hospital, Ahwaz Iran
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0971-4065.37022
Background: The rapid loss of bone mass density occurs immediately after transplantation; this contributes to an increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures. The prevention and management of bone loss after renal transplantation is not elucidated thus far. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the initiation of alendronate therapy immediately after transplantation can prevent bone loss and also to assess its safety on graft function and serum cyclosporine level. Materials and Methods: We conducted our study on 50 patients and randomly divided them into two groups: alendronate treatment group ( n = 25) and placebo group ( n = 25). Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar and femoral neck was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry prior to transplantation and after 6 months. The graft function was assessed by measuring the serum creatinine level and the serum cyclosporine trough level, which was measured by radioimmunoassay every 2 months until the end of the study. Results: The BMD in patients treated with alendronate increased significantly both at the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, while it decreased in the placebo group. The changes in the serum cyclosporine levels were independent of alendronate or placebo within 6 months after transplant. The graft function was similar between the groups. Conculsion: Alendronate was effective as well as safe for prophylaxis of rapid bone loss after renal transplantation.
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