Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Jan;6(1):14-21.
doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.61.BJR-2016-0085.R1.

Parathyroid hormone 1-34 and skeletal anabolic action: The use of parathyroid hormone in bone formation

L Osagie-Clouard  1 , A Sanghani  2 , M Coathup  2 , T Briggs  2 , M Bostrom  3 , G Blunn  2
Affiliations

Parathyroid hormone 1-34 and skeletal anabolic action: The use of parathyroid hormone in bone formation

L Osagie-Clouard et al. Bone Joint Res. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Intermittently administered parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-34) has been shown to promote bone formation in both human and animal studies. The hormone and its analogues stimulate both bone formation and resorption, and as such at low doses are now in clinical use for the treatment of severe osteoporosis. By varying the duration of exposure, parathyroid hormone can modulate genes leading to increased bone formation within a so-called 'anabolic window'. The osteogenic mechanisms involved are multiple, affecting the stimulation of osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes and the stem cell niche, and ultimately leading to increased osteoblast activation, reduced osteoblast apoptosis, upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, increased stem cell mobilisation, and mediation of the RANKL/OPG pathway. Ongoing investigation into their effect on bone formation through 'coupled' and 'uncoupled' mechanisms further underlines the impact of intermittent PTH on both cortical and cancellous bone. Given the principally catabolic actions of continuous PTH, this article reviews the skeletal actions of intermittent PTH 1-34 and the mechanisms underlying its effect.

Cite this article: L. Osagie-Clouard, A. Sanghani, M. Coathup, T. Briggs, M. Bostrom, G. Blunn. Parathyroid hormone 1-34 and skeletal anabolic action: The use of parathyroid hormone in bone formation. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:14-21. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.61.BJR-2016-0085.R1.

Keywords: Anabolic; Bone formation; Parathyroid hormone.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

ICMJE Conflicts of Intrest: None declared

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustration of the regulatory actions of intermittent PTH 1-34
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Hanley DA, Watson PH, Hodsman AB, Dempster DW. Pharmacological Mechanisms of Therapeutics: Parathyroid Hormone. In: Bilezikian JP, Raisz LG, Martin TJ, eds. Principles of Bone Biology Vol. 2 Third ed. San Diego: Elsevier Inc., 2008:1661-1695.
    1. Civitelli R, Ziambaras K. Calcium and phosphate homeostasis: concerted interplay of new regulators. J Endocrinol Invest 2011;34:3-7. - PubMed
    1. Egbuna OI, Brown EM. Hypercalcaemic and hypocalcaemic conditions due to calcium-sensing receptor mutations. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2008;22:129-148. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Neer RM, Arnaud CD, Zanchetta JR, et al. Effect of parathyroid hormone (1-34) on fractures and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1434-1441. - PubMed
    1. Tam CS, Heersche JN, Murray TM, Parsons JA. Parathyroid hormone stimulates the bone apposition rate independently of its resorptive action: differential effects of intermittent and continuous administration. Endocrinology 1982;110:506-512. - PubMed