Osteoporosis Medication May Reduce Diabetes Risk

Oct, 2021 - By SMI

A new research found a connection between a common drug alendronate used for strengthening of bones in osteoporosis patients, and lowered risk of type 2 diabetes.

Alendronic acid is a medication prescribed to osteoporosis patients having weak bones to control the condition.  A new research done by scientists as Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark suggested that the drug alendronate can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some of the recent animal researches indicate that osteoporosis medication modify bone cells and affect glucose regulation. Therefore, the scientists investigated the impact of osteoporosis drugs on glucose regulation.

Some of the studies published earlier had conducted same research and discovered the link between reduced rate of diabetes and the drug used for osteoporosis. Similarly, the scientists focused on a medication called alendronate, which is also known as bisphosphonate and it is prescribed to slow the breakdown of bone tissue in osteoporosis patients. The researchers found that people treated with alendronate had 34% lower rates of diabetes compared to people who did not take alendronate. Moreover, people taking alendronate for longer period face the lowest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study estimated that individuals taking osteoporosis drug over eight years had 53% reduced risk of diabetes. However, the mechanism that affects glucose metabolism or the reduced risk of diabetes is not clear yet.

According to the scientists, one hypothesis proposes the development of insulin could be averted by cutting down levels of oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation due to alendronates effect. The scientists explain, this inexpensive medication of osteoporosis has potential advantages as it can protect against type 2 diabetes, it should be considered while prescribing drugs to patients with pre-diabetes or high type 2 diabetes risk.