Posted by Article on 2/25/2002, 9:13 am

Bone Graphic: A - before treatment B - After 6 month's treatment with a GnRH Analog The Figure below illustrates the structural changes occurring in bone (illiac crest) on a microscopic level after taking a GnRH analogue. Please note that in picture (A) the bone structure (dark area) is interwoven and there are connections up and down and from side to side. In picture (B) the bone structure (dark areas) only go up and down and are NOT connected. Dr. Compston stated that "Disruption of cancellous [trabecular] microstructure in the spine is likely to be more severe than that demonstrated in the iliac crest." (9) Dr. Compston stated that "In this study we have performed a detailed histomorphometric analysis of bone structure and remodeling in women before and after 6 months of treatment with GnRH analogues." Dr. Compston stated that "Our results suggest that bone loss induced by GnRH analogs may be associated with adverse effects on cancellous [trabecular] microstructure which are unlikely to be reversed following cessation of therapy." (9) Dr. Compston stated that "To date [1995], studies of the skeletal effects of GnRH analogs have been limited to measurement of bone mass by densitometric techniques [QCT, DPA/DEXA*] and assessment of biochemical indices of bone turnover, [blood and urine tests] approaches which do not enable analysis of the changes in cancellous [trabecular] microstructure associated with bone loss." (9)

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