Cardiovascular Risk and Osteoporosis: Is There a Link?

Abstract

Clinical studies consistently show a reciprocal link between osteoporosis and CVD which could be explained by many pathophysiological hypotheses. The most recent involves biological regulators (OPG/RANKL/RANK system) implicated in both the process of vascular calcification and bone loss. If the current hypothesis is confirmed, then assays of these factors might help to predict both CVD and osteoporosis. Although the role of OPG in the vascular system is still controversial, however, it could be a promising biomarker of progression and prognosis of CVD. The reciprocal cross talk “vessels-bone” might open the possibility to develop new strategies for multiple-purpose preventive and therapeutic interventions targeted at reducing both bone loss and atherosclerosis progression.