Effects of bisphosphonate treatment on circulating osteogenic endothelial progenitor cells in postmenopausal women

To evaluate whether bisphosphonates modulate vascular calcification by a modification in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) coexpressing osteoblastic surface markers and genes.

We performed a double-blind, randomized study of 20 healthy, early postmenopausal women (from February 1, 2008, through July 31, 2008) treated with placebo or risedronate sodium (35 mg/wk) for 4 months. Peripheral blood was collected at baseline and 4 months to determine serum inflammatory markers, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand levels and bone turnover markers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for EPC surface markers (CD34, CD133, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor/kinase insert domain receptor) and osteoblast markers (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and Stro-1).

Risedronate treatment resulted in a significant down-regulation of gene sets for osteoblast differentiation and proliferation in EPCs with a trend of decreasing EPCs coexpressing osteocalcin.

Our findings indicate that bisphosphonate treatment down-regulates the expression of osteogenic genes in EPCs and suggest a possible mechanism by which bisphosphonates may inhibit vascular calcification.