Researchers found that a novel type of medication used to treat osteoporosis that has the potential for fewer side effects may offer a new alternative for patients. A novel type of medication used to treat osteoporosis, with a potential for fewer side effects, can offer a new alternative for patients. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Biophysical Journal, the innovators developed a stabilized version of human calcitonin, a peptide medication already used in people with osteoporosis. Researchers also produced a prodrug form of peptide hormone to improve its potency as a medication for osteoporosis.
Researchers discover a new form of drugs to help treat osteoporosis, calcium-related disorders. Osteoporosis is a condition that affects millions of people across the world. Researchers have developed a new form of a drug called calcitonin that can help treat calcium-related disorders.
Purdue University innovators have created a stabilized version of human calcitonin, a peptide drug that is already used in patients with osteoporosis. Calcitonin is the enzyme responsible for the natural homeostasis of calcium. Researchers at Purdue have produced a prodrug form of peptide hormone to improve its potency as an osteoporosis therapy. Calcitonin is the enzyme responsible for natural calcium homeostasis in humans. Calcitonin prevents bone resorption as administered to patients with osteoporosis, resulting in increased bone density.
Osteoporosis occurs as the body starts to shed an unhealthy amount of bone tissue, allowing the bones to lose vitality and density. It increases the risk of fractures, which may be crippling.
Unfortunately, human calcitonin undergoes fibrillation in an aqueous solution, leading to decreased potency when used as a medicinal agent. Salmon calcitonin is prescribed as a substitute for osteoporosis in patients. It does not fibrillate as easily as possible but suffers from poor potency and the potential for many adverse side effects.
“The technology can help make these calcitonin drugs safer and more effective,” said Elizabeth Topp, a Purdue professor of physical and industrial pharmacy. “Our approach will increase the therapeutic potential of human calcitonin, promising a more effective option to replace salmon calcitonin for osteoporosis and related disorders.” The team created a prodrug form of the peptide hormone to increase its effectiveness as an osteoporosis treatment.
Calcitonin supports patients with daily calcium hematosis. Calcitonin prevents bone resorption as administered for osteoporosis sufferers, contributing to increased bone density. Unfortunately, human calcitonin undergoes fibrillation in an aqueous reaction, resulting in decreased effectiveness when used as a therapeutic agent. As a supplement, osteoporosis sufferers have recommended calcitonin for salmon. It does not fibrillate as easily but suffers from poor performance and the risk for a variety of adverse effects.
Purdue researchers also phosphorylated particular amino acid residues to reduce the potential for fibrillation and improve the medicinal value of human calcitonin. “Many promising new peptide drugs tend to form fibrils,” Topp said. “This technology provides a way to stabilize them in a reversible manner so that a stabilizing change occurs when the drug is given to the patient.”
