Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions containing a calbindin-D28k therapeutic element, which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, and may be administered for the prevention of an abnormal apoptosis response in cells. In particular the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for the prevention or induction of apoptosis in such cells types as osteoblasts and osteocytes. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention of diseases associated with glucocorticoid induced cell death. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention may be useful in the prevention of glucocorticoid induced cell death in osteoblasts and the treatment of such conditions as glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the elucidation of the pro-apoptotic effect of glucocorticoids on osteocytes. The present invention provides methods to screen compounds that retain the anti-inflammatory properties of glucocorticoids yet do not result in the detrimental effect of bone loss and compound identified by the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions containing a calbindin-D28k therapeutic element, which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, and may be administered for the prevention of an abnormal apoptosis response in cells. In particular the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for the prevention or induction of apoptosis in such cells types as osteoblasts and osteocytes. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention of diseases associated with glucocorticoid induced cell death. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention may be useful in the prevention of glucocorticoid induced cell death in osteoblasts and the treatment of such conditions as glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that human parathyroid hormone 1-34 [hPTH(1-34)] exerts anti-apoptotic effects on osteoblasts when administered in an intermittent fashion to mice in vivo. The present invention further demonstrates that bovine PTH(1-34) [bPTH(1-34)] prevents glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of osteoblastic and osteocytic cells in vitro. Therefore, the present invention demonstrates that the previously established anabolic effects of PTH on the skeleton are mediated by its ability to postpone osteoblast apoptosis, as opposed to a stimulatory effect on osteoblastogenesis. The present invention provides methods of screening agents for anti-apoptotic effects on osteoblasts, wherein such agents stimulate and/or restore bone in osteopenic individuals, or prevent bone loss caused by agents such as glucocorticoids.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed provides a method to increase bone mass without compromising bone strength or quality, through the administration to a host of a compound that binds to the estrogen or androgen receptor without causing hormonal transcriptional activation.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that glucocorticoid-induced bone disease is due to changes in the birth and death rate of bone cells using a murine model of glucocorticoid excess as well as bone biopsy specimens obtained from patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. This invention demonstrates that glucocorticoid administration increases apoptosis of mature osteoblasts and osteocytes and decreases bone formation rate and bone mineral density accompanied by defective osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in the bone marrow.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed provides a method to increase bone mass without compromising bone strength or quality, through the administration to a host of a compound that binds to the estrogen or androgen receptor without causing hormonal transcriptional activation.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that glucocorticoid-induced bone disease is due to changes in the birth and death rate of bone cells using a murine model of glucocorticoid excess as well as bone biopsy specimens obtained from patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. This invention demonstrates that glucocorticoid administration increases apoptosis of mature osteoblasts and osteocytes and decreases bone formation rate and bone mineral density accompanied by defective osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in the bone marrow.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and composition to increase bone strength in a manner that decreases fracture incidence, which may or may not include increasing bone mineral density (“BMD”). The invention includes administering an effective amount of a bisphosphonate to a host in need thereof to increase bone strength, which inhibits the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes, without a significant effect on osteoclasts. In one embodiment, the bisphosphonate is not 1-amino-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-propyliden-1,1-bisphosphonic acid or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt. An increase in osteoblast life span can lead to an increase in bone mass, i.e., an anabolic effect. Preservation of osteocyte life span can increase bone strength, which may be disproportional to the increase in bone mass.