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A common drug for osteoporosis halves the risk of diabetes

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

Although scientists assumed some association, the findings regarding the degree of risk reduction were completely unexpected. It is not yet clear whether the trend continues for all drugs for osteoporosis or whether the effect is achieved only at the expense of a specific drug.

It has been known for decades that patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of fractures. Preclinical studies have also shown that modification of bone tissue cells by drugs for osteoporosis affects glucose regulation. These data became the basis for the hypothesis that drugs for osteoporosis can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, writes EurekAlert.

Researchers from The University of Aalborg (Denmark) analyzed the data of almost 700 thousand people with and without diabetes for ten years. The median age was 67 years. They determined which of the participants took the common osteoporosis drug alendronate and how it affected their health.

The analysis showed that taking alendronate reduced the risks of type 2 diabetes by 34%. The findings take into account risk factors such as alcohol consumption, obesity, income level and marital status.

Then scientists determined that taking alendronate for eight years can reduce the risk of diabetes by 53%.

It is noteworthy that they also found a dose-dependent effect: the higher the dosage of the drug, the lower the chances of diabetes.

So far, the authors cannot explain what causes this effect. Presumably, the drug reduces inflammation and oxidative stress – two central factors for the development of insulin resistance.

Further studies should show whether other drugs for osteoporosis besides alendronate have the same effect. Meanwhile, doctors should already take into account the results obtained when prescribing treatment to people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the authors concluded.

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