We explored the effectiveness of alendronate, a common drug for osteoporosis, in treating bone pain and improving bone health in patients with thalassemia. This randomized controlled trial involved men and premenopausal women, who were given either alendronate or a placebo for 12 months.
We found that alendronate significantly improved bone mineral density and reduced back pain. Even better, the treatment was well tolerated with a good safety profile. Overall, our findings suggest that alendronate can be beneficial for those struggling with osteoporosis linked to thalassemia.
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Iron’s limited impact on bone painThe cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc- drives breast tumor cell glutamate release and cancer-induced bone pain.
Moderate relevance to pain management
We explored how cancer in the bones, specifically from breast tumors, leads to severe pain due to increased levels of glutamate. In our research, we found that certain chemicals, including iron-based compounds, can reduce this glutamate release. This reduction helps alleviate pain symptoms in models of cancer-induced bone pain. While our findings suggest that targeting the glutamate pathway may be effective, we did not find that iron treatment alone significantly impacts bone pain management. Overall, this study highlights potential new avenues for treating pain associated with bone metastases.
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We examined a case of a 32-year-old woman on long-term hemodialysis who experienced severe bone pain and fractures. Initial tests showed high levels of iron and aluminum. After treating her with deferoxamine—a chelating agent—her bone pain improved, and a follow-up biopsy showed better bone health. However, while her pain was managed, her iron and aluminum levels changed only slightly, highlighting the complexity of treating conditions linked to metal imbalances.
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We aimed to understand how folic acid affects bone cancer pain, a challenging condition that isn't easily managed with typical treatments. In our study, we induced bone cancer pain in rats by injecting Walker 256 tumor cells into their tibia. To assess pain response, we measured how quickly they withdrew their paws in response to pressure and heat.
Throughout the study, we found that rats suffering from bone cancer pain showed a significant reduction in their pain thresholds. However, with continuous folic acid treatment, these thresholds improved, indicating a notable analgesic effect. We examined the levels of P2X2 and P2X3 receptors—known to play a role in pain signaling—and noticed they were elevated in the pain-afflicted rats. Remarkably, folic acid treatment resulted in a notable decrease in these receptors in both the spinal cord and relevant nerve ganglia.
This suggests that folic acid not only relieves pain but also acts by downregulating specific receptors associated with pain. We believe that our findings position folic acid as a promising option for alleviating bone cancer pain in clinical settings.
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Folic acid supports bone healthEffects of High and Low Doses of Folic Acid on the Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Ligand/Osteoprotegerin Ratio during Pregnancy.
Significant impact on bone markers
We undertook a study to investigate the effects of different doses of folic acid on bone health during pregnancy, particularly focusing on bone resorption markers associated with osteoporosis. In this randomized, double-blind trial, forty-five pregnant women participated, with some taking a high dose of 5 mg per day and others taking a lower dose of 0.5 mg per day throughout their pregnancy.
Our findings indicated that higher doses of folic acid appeared to help lower important markers of bone resorption, namely soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B ligand (sRANKL) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα), while increasing Osteoprotegerin (OPG). This balance may contribute to improved bone health, potentially reducing the risk of Pregnancy Associated Osteoporosis (PAO) in affected women.
While the study did not directly measure bone pain outcomes, the biochemical changes observed suggest an encouraging approach to support bone health and prevent complications that can lead to pain and fractures. Overall, we believe that higher folic acid doses during pregnancy may offer beneficial effects on bone metabolism, thus contributing positively to women’s health in this crucial period.
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