Biophosphonate on Bones

During the last quarter of a century, biphosphonates have become a major tool in the management of bone disease, second only to vitamin D. A great deal of research on these agents has been carried out by investigators from a variety of disciplines, but until now the resulting information had not been presented in a systematic fashion, addressing the needs of clinicians, basic researchers and their colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry. Written in its entirety by scientists who have been active and reputed in their different areas from the beginning of biphosphonate research, this volume should enable physicians to profit optimally from the accumulated experience, to guide pharmacists in their teaching, to help pharmacologists in designing new biphosphonates and to stimulate biologists in better elucidating their mechanisms of action.

Table of Contents:
PART A. THE PHYSIOLOGY OF BONE-RESORPTION. Physiology. Chapter 1. Normal Bone and mineral homeostasis (E. Shane and J.P. Bilezikian). 2. Cell biology of bone: Lineage, cell-cell interactions, cytokines (P.J. Nijweide and R. van't Hof).Investigative Techniques. 3. The osteoclast bone interface and bone resorption (G.A. Rodan). 4. The assessment of bone metabolism in vivo using biochemical approaches (R.G.G. Russell). 5. Assessing the effects of treatment (C. Cooper and L.J. Melton III). 6. The bone scan in diagnosis and treatment (P.J. Ryan and I. Fogelman). PART B. CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF THE BISPHOSPHONATES. Origin and Physico-Chemistry. 7. History of the bisphosphonates: Discovery and history of the non-medical uses of bisphosphonates (L.J.M.J. Blomen). 8. Bisphosphonate therapy in acute and chronic bone loss: Physical chemical considerations in bisphosphonate-related therapies (A. Ebrahimpour and M.D. Francis). 9. Bisphosphonate antiresorptive structure-activity relationships (F.H. Eberino and Susan M. Dansereau). Mechanisms of Action. 10. Mechanisms of action of bisphosphonates: Studies with bone culture systems (C. Lowik and G. van der Pluijm). 11. Mechanisms of action of bisphosphonates: Information from animal models (R.C. Muhlbauer). 12. Studies with isolated cells and cell systems (R. Felix). 13. Alendronate: The bone surface and bisphosphonate action on bone resorption (G.A. Rodan). 14. Effects of bisphosphonates on bone biomechanics (J.L. Ferretti). Pharmacology. 15. Pharmacodynamics of bisphosphonates in man; implications for treatment (S.E. Papapoulos). 16. Determination of bisphosphonates in biological fluids (B.K. Matuszewski). PART C. THE BISPHOSPHONATES IN THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF BONE PATHOLOGY. Paget's Disease. 17. Paget's disease of bone: Symptoms, signs and morbidity (N.A.T. Hamdy). 18. Quantitative bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of Paget's disease of bone (C.J.L.R. Vellenga). 19. T