Acute phase response after zoledronic acid is associated with long-term effects on white blood cells

We have recently reported a long-lasting decrease in circulating γδ T cells in osteoporotic patients on oral amino-bisphosphonates (N-BPs). Here we verify whether these changes are associated with the occurrence of acute phase response (APR) to intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZOL) or changes of other circulating white blood cells (WBC). WBC count was obtained before and 1 year after a single IV administration of 5 mg ZOL in 36 osteoporotic patients (mean age 72 ± 9, range 45-86 years) without other relevant diseases; 12 of 36 patients developed the classical APR. After 1 year in the patients who experienced an APR, but not in the others, a significant decrease not only of γδ T cells (-30 %), but also of total lymphocytes (-11 %) and eosinophils (-27 %), was observed. The mechanism leading to the observed decrease of circulating lymphocytes and eosinophils remains unclear, but our observation opens a new frontier for the understanding of the immunoeffects of N-BPs.