University of Sydney researchers have discovered a new and promising treatment for osteoporosis which is easily delivered in water soluble form.
After more than four years of investigation, researchers from the Ageing Bone Research Program (Sydney Medical School’s Nepean campus), have found the treatment has shown very promising results in animal experiments.
The compound is called picolinic acid, a product derived of the essential amino acid tryptophan.
Lead researcher Professor Gustavo Duque said the odorless compound can be easily dissolved in water.
“This is a major step in the development of a completely new type of medication for osteoporosis,” he said.
“Instead of stopping bone destruction, our compound instead stimulates bone formation."
“The product is easily dissolved in water, has a higher level of absorption and did not induce any side effects in the treated mice."
“When this medication was administered in the water of normal and menopausal mice, picolinic acid strongly and safely increased bone mass in normal mice and rescued bone from menopause-associated osteoporosis.”
Professor Duque said the team had patented the compound and will expand their trials to humans in the near future in a bid to address the increasing numbers of people developing the condition.
“Osteoporosis affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide. One in three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one in five men."
