Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength leading to an increased risk of fracture. The bones become thinner, more porous (hence the name of osteoporosis), and therefore more fragile.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength leading to an increased risk of fracture. The bones become thinner, more porous (hence the name of osteoporosis), and therefore more fragile. Almost all the skeleton is reached, especially the vertebrae, the wrists and the femoral neck. The fracture can occur spontaneously, after a minor trauma or a banal effort.

From 50 years to the end of their lives, 4 out of 10 women will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis: hip bone, wrists, spine most often suffer a fracture attributed to osteoporosis.

However, researchers from Ben-Gurion University (BGU) have just shown uno protein present in the body can allow to develop a natural treatment of osteoporosis.

This drug is based on a modified human protein to inhibit bone destruction activity of osteoclasts by simultaneously targeting two receptors present on these cells. They have shown that in an animal model of osteoporosis, the drug is very specific to osteoclasts and can effectively prevent bone absorption.

Dr. Niv Papo from the BGU Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIBN), and Dr. Noam Levaot from the BGU Department of Physiology and Cell Biology participated in this study.

PhD student Yuval Zur has shown that by simultaneously targeting two cellular receptors, modified proteins can relieve osteoporosis patients with fewer adverse side effects than current therapies.

Current drugs for osteoporosis work by completely blocking this decomposition, called bone absorption, for an uncontrolled period. This increases the risk of unwanted side effects, such as low calcium levels in the blood, atypical fractures and destruction of the jawbone.

"These problems, combined with digestive side effects, limit the use of currently available drugs and result in low patient compliance. Thus, despite the progress made in treating patients with osteoporosis, there is a significant demand for safer and more specific osteoporosis medications with a prolonged biological effect. "Says N. Levaot.

"By demonstrating that a natural protein in the body can be modified to function as a drug capable of targeting two cell receptors at the same time, we believe that these modified proteins could provide the next generation of therapeutic products with targeted activities and fewer side effects. Side effects. We are also convinced that such modified protein compounds could also affect other diseases, including other bone diseases and certain types of cancer, particularly metastatic bone cancer. Said Dr. Papo, co-researcher.

Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is Israel's fastest growing research university. With 20,000 students, 4,000 staff and faculty and three campuses in Be'er-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat, BGU is an agent of change, realizing the vision of David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli prime minister, to consider the future of Israel emerging from the Negev. The University is at the heart of Beer-Sheva's transformation into the country's cyber-capital, where leading multinational companies are eagerly relying on BGU's expertise to generate innovative R & D.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the BGU continues to make changes at the local, regional and international levels. With faculties in Engineering Sciences, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Business and Management, and Arid Zones, BGU is an active university on the frontiers of science and community. More than a third of students participate in one of the most developed community action programs in the world. The University is a recognized national and global leader in the fields of nanotechnology, cybersecurity, Israeli studies, agriculture, biotechnology, robotics, alternative energy, hydrology, social leadership, hotels and tourism. with government and industry, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in all its forms.

Publication in PLOS Biology

Translation / adaptation Esther Amar for Israel Science Info

Source: ©Osteoporosis: A breakthrough from Ben Gurion University in the Negev (Israel) to natural treatment - Israel Science Info

Ostéoporose : avancée spectaculaire de l’université Ben Gourion du Néguev (Israël) vers un traitement naturel – Israël Science Info added by RichardA on 12 September 2018
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