February 22nd, 2011

Study Finds Nitroglycerin Improves Bone Density

A new study raises hope that nitroglycerin may help stem the rising tide of fractures in the elderly. Earlier research with nitrates had suggested the possibility of benefit in this area. Now, in a paper published in JAMA, Sophie Jamal and colleagues report the result of a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 243 postmenopausal women randomized to either nitroglycerin or placebo applied at bedtime.

After 2 years, nitroglycerin significantly increased bone density in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip compared to placebo. Major adverse events occurred equally in both groups, but headaches occurred more frequently in the nitroglycerin group.

The authors concluded that their findings suggest that nitroglycerin might reduce fractures and note that “nitrates have a potential advantage of easy administration as an ointment, patch, or pill and wide availability of generic preparations.”

In an accompanying editorial, Sundeep Khosla writes that the study “should set the stage for an adequately powered, larger study using nitroglycerin ointment with fracture as an outcome. If such a study demonstrates efficacy for reducing fractures, clinicians would have a novel and inexpensive therapy for osteoporosis.”

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