Strontium Ranelate and Bone Growth...

This morning several projects in motion but taking a second to mention strontium ranelate and it's efficacy in the management of osteoarthritis... -Here's a study in pdf form!

Strontium ranelate has a lot of substantiation -I'll post some references -and is prescribed throughout the world, but isn't approved for use in the USA... How come?

In studies I've seen, it appears to change density in radiographic images.  -And reduces the symptoms of osteoarthritis in joints, EXAMPLE.

Here's the compound:




How it works: 
Apparently it does this by stimulating the production and activity of osteoblasts, while inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts...

Remember, osteoblasts are bone cells that hang out in bone tissue and take calcium out of the blood and deposit it into the bone matrix.  The hormone calcitonin is needed to signal them to do this, and Vitamin D is required to absorb the calcium in the small intestine after consumed in diet...

Osteoclasts, on the other hand, are those funky bone cells that, when signaled by parathyroid hormone (PTH) eat away at the bones and release the calcium into the blood.  Appears that strontium ranelate induces osteoblasts to secrete a cellular messenger called osteoprotegerin, which suppresses the activity of osteoclasts.  (another reference)    

Here's a short video on osteoblasts and osteoclasts!  

This is important since calcium is needed for physiological processes throughout the body!  Muscle movement, nerve impulses, acid-base buffering, blood clotting, etc. etc. !

Strontium ranelate also appears to impact cartilage maintenance by suppressing inflammatory cytokines...

So far, haven't seen much in the way of adverse reactions but... always be wary of a compound that impacts calcium metabolism!

Dosage ranges up to 2 grams /day

There are contraindications... strontium ranelate should not be used for patients with a history of deep venous thrombosis.  Here's a list of meds that strontium ranelate interferes with!

If you are taking this med, I'd love to hear from you -please share your experiences!



Some recent references: 
Salgueiro, M. E., G. Manso, et al. (2012). "Trends in the pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis in Spain from 2000 to 2008." Maturitas.

Reginster, J. Y., J. Badurski, et al. (2012). "Efficacy and safety of strontium ranelate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: results of a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial." Ann Rheum Dis.

Doublier, A., D. Farlay, et al. (2012). "Effects of strontium on the quality of bone apatite crystals: a paired biopsy study in postmenopausal osteoporotic women." Osteoporos Int.

Carnevale, V., R. Del Fiacco, et al. (2012). "Effects of Strontium Ranelate Administration on Calcium Metabolism in Female Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Primary Hyperparathyroidism." Calcif Tissue Int.

Pelletier, J. P., M. Kapoor, et al. (2012). "Strontium ranelate reduces the progression of experimental dog osteoarthritis by inhibiting the expression of key proteases in cartilage and of IL-1beta in the synovium." Ann Rheum Dis.

Saidak, Z. and P. J. Marie (2012). "Strontium signaling: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications in osteoporosis." Pharmacol Ther 136(2): 216-226.

Oliveira, J. P., W. Querido, et al. (2012). "Strontium is incorporated in different levels into bones and teeth of rats treated with strontium ranelate." Calcif Tissue Int 91(3): 186-195.