Blood test could avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics for respiratory infections (pp 600)
...tions for public health. Blood concentrations of a calcitonin precursor protein known as procalcitonin are substantially raised during acute bacterial infection. Beat Mller from University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues assessed the effectiveness of a sensitive blood test to identify procalcitonin ...Hormone found to protect bones
...c implications," he said. Amylin, a member of the calcitonin hormone family, inhibits bone loss or resorption. It is secreted by the pancreatic -cells at the same as insulin. Type 1 diabetics no longer produce insulin or amylin because their -cells no longer function. Mice who lack amylin have less bone mass t...In a new observational analysis, Risedronate significantly reduced nonvertebral fracture risk
...ronate (5/10 mg daily or 35/70 mg weekly) or nasal calcitonin (200 I.U. daily), between July 2000 and June 2001....n the prior six months for a bisphosphonate, nasal calcitonin or raloxifene were excluded. All risk estimates were adjusted for age, sex, estrogen use, prior fra......p patients. Current treatments - like estrogen and calcitonin - aim to stem the loss of bone mass rather than rebuild the bone. Proteins generally known as "growth factors" stimulate certain types of cells necessary for bone growth. The growth factors, the researchers hope, can help re-grow lost bone mass to th......h asraloxifene; biophosphonates (alendronate); and calcitonin are the primary drugsin use. Parathyroid hormone has an opposite mode of action. It stimulates bone formationby increasing the number of osteoblasts, or bone rebuilding cells. Women in the study reported by Roe, Arnaud and colleagues had already been......leed, back and/or joint pain, andheadache. Because calcitonin is a protein, the possibility of a systemicallergic reaction exists....