Bone Abstracts

Currently available osteoporosis treatment include antiresorptives and/or anabolic agents. Studies in animals have shown that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) administration affects anabolically bone tissue metabolism and improves morphological, densitometric and mechanical properties of bones in axial and appendicular skeleton. Thus, the aim of the study was to present first data on effects of 61-week treatment with HMB on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of lumbar spine in female patient suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis. The therapy with calcium salt of HMB (CaHMB – HMB Mega Caps 1250, Olimp Sport Nutrition, Poland) was performed orally (1250 mg/day). One CaHMB capsule consisting of 1000 mg of pure HMB was taken during the diner each day throughout 61 weeks. Quantitative computed tomography method and SOMATOM EMOTION SIEMENS apparatus (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) equipped with Somaris/5 VB10B software (version B10/2004A) and Osteo CT application package were used to determine vBMD of the trabecular and cortical bone compartments in each lumbar vertebrae (L₁–L₅). Calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca-HA) density of trabecular bone (Tb_Ca-HA) was measured in the central part of the cross-section of the vertebral body, while calcium hydroxyapatite density of cortical bone (Cb_Ca-HA) was determined on the margins of the vertebral body. The measurements of vBMD were performed at the baseline and 61 weeks later.

61-week long oral administration with CaHMB in the osteoporotic patient increased Tb_Ca-HA and Cb_Ca-HA by 1.98% and 7.99%, respectively. The increased values of T-score (20 years) and Z-score by 0.07 and 0.12 were also stated as the result of the 14-month therapy with HMB.

In conclusion, this study indicates that HMB improves vBMD of lumbar spine and may be applied for effective treatment of osteoporosis in humans. However, further studies on wider human population are recommended to evaluate dose-related effectiveness and possible mechanisms influencing bone tissue metabolism by HMB.