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Abstract. Low concentrations of serum vitamin K accompany high concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and osteoporotic fractures. Although vitamin K2 (MK-4) is approved as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis in some countries, the dose-response is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the improvement in carboxylation of osteocalcin (OC) in response to escalating doses of MK-4 supplementation. A nine-week, open-labeled, prospective cohort study was conducted in 29 postmenopausal women who suffered hip or vertebral compression fractures. Participants took low-dose MK-4 (0.5 mg) for 3 weeks (until the second visit), then medium-dose MK-4 (5 mg) for 3 weeks (until the third visit), then high-dose MK-4 (45 mg) for 3 weeks. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 69 ± 9 years. MK-4 dose (p

Changes in bone mineral density and bone strength following treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOL) were measured by quantitative computed analysis (QCT) or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). ZOL treatment increased spine and hip BMD vs placebo, assessed by QCT and DXA. Changes in trabecular bone resulted in increased bone strength.To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) changes in trabecular and cortical bone, estimated by quantitative computed analysis (QCT) or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and whether zoledronic acid 5 mg (ZOL) affects bone strength.In 233 women from a randomized, controlled trial of once-yearly ZOL, lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter were assessed by DXA and QCT (baseline, Month 36). Mean percentage changes from baseline and between-treatment differences (ZOL vs placebo, t-test) were evaluated.Mean between-treatment differences for lumbar spine BMD were significant by DXA (7.0%, p0.01) and QCT (5.7%, p0.0001). Between-treatment differences were significant for trabecular spine (p = 0.0017) [non-parametric test], trabecular trochanter (10.7%, p0.0001), total hip (10.8%, p0.0001), and compressive strength indices at femoral neck (8.6%, p = 0.0001), and trochanter (14.1%, p0.0001).Once-yearly ZOL increased hip and spine BMD vs placebo, assessed by QCT vs DXA. Changes in trabecular bone resulted in increased indices of compressive strength.

A 45-year-old white male was found to have radiographic findings of a diffusely dense appendicular skeleton, mild trabecular thickening, and multiple thoracic compression fractures indicating structural weakness. Bone mineral density was above the expected range for his age on the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Social history was significant for well-water consumption and daily instant-tea ingestion …

1558 Background: Polymorphisms in the aromatase (CYP19A1) gene result in differences in the risk for breast cancer and response to treatment. We hypothesize that allele frequencies in the CYP19A1 gene vary according to race and may result in differences in progression of breast cancer among women from different racial backgrounds. The objectives of this study are: 1) to determine the allele/genotype frequencies in the CYP19A1 gene among women with breast cancer from different racial backgrounds, and, 2) to determine the association between disease progression and CYP19A1 gene variants. Methods: Clinical data and stored DNA from 327 patients participating in the Expanded Breast Cancer Registry (EBCR) program at the University of New Mexico were analyzed. These patients were followed-up for a period of 1 to 6 years. Comprehensive genotyping for CYP19A1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using microarray (Illumina). Results: Data from 164 non-Hispanic white and 119 Hispanic women were analyzed. Four SNPs (rs1259269, rs17703883, rs16964211, rs28757101) were associated with differences in genotype/allele frequencies between the 2 racial groups. Furthermore, 3 SNPs (rs4646, rs17647478, and rs6493486) were associated with differences in disease progression. The rare allele (G) for the rs17647478 (G/T) is associated with poor progression compared those without the allele (41.7% vs. 17.1%, p=0.04). Similarly the minor (A) allele for the rs4646 (A/C) and the rs6493486 (A/G) is also associated with a greater chance of worsening disease (23.2% vs. 12.4%, p=0.02 and 23.4% vs. 12.4%, p=0.02, respectively). A significant percentage of women carrying the A allele for both rs4646 and rs6493486 and the T allele for the rs17647478 have more advanced disease at the time of presentation. None of the SNPs analyzed result in racial differences in breast cancer progression. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in the CYP19A1 gene influence overall disease progression in breast cancer patients but have no impact on the racial differences of disease behavior. Women carrying the risk alleles present at a more advanced stage and are also at greater risk of progression.