The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7222 p637
2 November 2002

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Synthetic molecule provides potential alternative to HRT for osteoporosis

A synthetic compound that could be used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for osteoporosis has been identified by researchers in the United States.

Comparing the effects of the compound, 4-estren-3a,17b-diol (estren) to those of 17b-estradiol (E₂) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on bone and reproductive tissues in mice, the researchers found that although estren was at least as effective as estradiol in preserving global and spinal bone mineral density in females, it had, in contrast to E₂ and DHT, no effect on reproductive tissues. They say that irrespective of the sex of the mouse, a replacement dose of either E₂ or DHT or administration of estren to female or male mice, prevented gonadectomy-induced programmed cell death in osteoblasts in the lumbar vertebrae.

The researchers conclude that the favourable effects of estren on bone and its lack of effect on reproductive tissues indicate that mechanism-specific ligands may offer advantages over oestrogens for the prevention of osteoporosis.