Effect of ibandronate therapy on serum homocysteine and leptin in postmenopausal osteoporotic females

Abstract

Summary: A significant change in serum leptin level and no change in homocysteine were observed with ibandronate treatment. No correlation of homocysteine and leptin was found with bone mass density (BMD). Results indicate that ibandronate reduces serum leptin levels but how does it help in reducing the osteoporosis. It needs to be explored. Introduction: The current study was planned to determine the effects of ibandronate on serum homocysteine and leptin levels in postmenopausal osteoporotic females and to correlate these with BMD. Methods: Forty-two newly diagnosed and untreated postmenopausal osteoporotic females were selected on the basis of their BMD (BMD < 0.002), while no considerable change observed in serum homocysteine levels (16.22 ± 0.95 μmol/l vs. 16.80 ± 1.03 μmol/l, p < 0.63). Serum leptin was found significantly correlated with anthropometric parameters. No correlation of serum leptin and homocysteine was found with BMD (r = 0.09, p value = 0.54; r = −0.17, p value = 0.27). Conclusion: Our results show that ibandronate reduces serum leptin levels while it has no effect on serum homocysteine levels. Further studies are needed to explain how the decrease in serum leptin level may help in reducing the progression of osteoporosis.