Calcitonin therapy in postmenopausal osteoporosis: effects on serum levels of interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α

Background:  It has been suggested that the effects of calcitonin (CT) therapy for senile and postmenopausal osteoporosis were due to its modulatory effects on bone-related cytokines. A significantly increased release of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α, which have bone resorptive effects, has been reported in osteoporotic patients. Aim:  In this study we investigated the effects of CT therapy on the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α. Method:  Forty postmenopausal osteoporotic women were included to the study. The first group consisting of 20 patients were given 100 IU CT subcutaneously and 1000 mg elemental calcium for 15 consecutive days. The second group or the control group also consisting of 20 patients were only given 1000 mg elemental calcium and both of the groups were not allowed to take any other medication. Results:  In the first group the mean serum TNF-α level significantly decreased from 16.9 ± 24.2 pg/mL to 8.6 ± 13 pg/mL after 1500 IU CT therapy (P   0.05). Conclusion:  Our results suggest that CT therapy for osteoporosis may partially be due to its inhibitory effects on TNF-α, and probably IL-1. However, further in-vitro and ex-vivo studies are needed to clarify this hypothesis.