Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2020, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (5): 753-759.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1885

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Application of bisphosphonates in avascular necrosis of the femoral head

Ge Juncheng1, Ma Jinhui2, Wang Bailiang1, Yue Debo2, Sun Wei2, Wang Weiguo2, Guo Wanshou2, Li Zirong2   

  1. 1Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100020, China; 2First Department of Orthopedics, Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100020, China
  • Received:2019-04-27 Revised:2019-04-30 Accepted:2019-06-27 Online:2020-02-18 Published:2020-01-10
  • Contact: Wang Bailiang, MD, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100020, China
  • About author:Ge Juncheng, Master candidate, Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100020, China Ma Jinhui, MD, First Department of Orthopedics, Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100020, China Ge Juncheng and Ma Jinhui contributed equally to this paper.
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81772350; Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2018-1-QN-9

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Animal experiments have shown that bisphosphonates exhibit a preventive effect on femoral head collapse. However, clinical application of bisphosphonates remains disputed. Systematic administration of bisphosphonates has many adverse reactions. There is an increasing number of studies on local application of bisphosphonates.

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of bisphosphonates in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

METHODS: The first authors (GJC and MJH) searched PubMed and CNKI databases to retrieve papers regarding bisphosphonate treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head using the search terms “osteonecrosis of the femoral head, bisphosphonates, systemic therapy, topical therapy, osteogenesis, bone destruction, bone remodeling” in English and Chinese. Sixty-two eligible papers were included in the final analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It remains disputed whether bisphosphonates inhibit or activate osteoblasts. Current studies have shown that low concentration of bisphosphonates can promote the proliferation of osteoblasts, while high concentration of bisphosphonates can inhibit the proliferation of osteoblasts. Long term systematic application of bisphosphonates can induce mandibular osteonecrosis and other side effects. Topical application of bisphosphonates for treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head is still in the experimental stage. The optimal bisphosphonate concentration and the duration of efficacy in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head have not been determined. These should be clarified by in-depth high-quality experiments prior to clinical application. 

Key words: avascular necrosis of the femoral head, bisphosphonate, systemic administration, topical administration, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone remodeling, non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head

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