[Changes in bone quality and strength with bone-forming agents]

Among the anti-osteoporotic agents clinically available in Japan, teriparatide is the only bone anabolic agent offering potent osteogenic effects. Regarding bone quality, studies have shown that teriparatide increases bone collagen content and enzymatic cross-links and decreases pentosidine, a surrogate marker of advanced glycation end-products. In addition to these improvements in bone collagen cross-links, increased bone mineral density and improvement of bone microarchitecture contribute to increases in bone strength with teriparatide administration. Teriparatide has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of new vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Recent clinical studies have suggested a role for teriparatide in accelerating healing for osteoporotic fractures. Teriparatide is promising for the prevention of vertebral collapse progression after vertebral fracture.