germanium and Osteoporosis

Germanium is present in all living plant and animal matter in micro-trace quantities. Its therapeutic attributes include immuno-enhancement, oxygen enrichment, free radical scavenging, analgesia and heavy metal detoxification. Toxicological studies document Germanium's rapid absorption and elimination from the body, and its safety. Clinical trials and use in private practices for more than a decade have demonstrated Germanium's efficacy in treating a wide range of serious afflictions, including cancer, arthritis and senile osteoporosis. Germanium's anti-viral and immunological properties, including the induction of interferon, macrophages, T-suppressor cells and augmentation of natural killer cell activity, suggest its possible efficacy in treating and/or preventing AIDS.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Arthritis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Germanium; Humans; Leukemia, Experimental; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Malaria; Organometallic Compounds; Osteoporosis; Ovarian Neoplasms; Spiro Compounds

The effects of trace elements of gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), and strontium (Sr) on ovariectomized (OVX) osteopenic rats were studied in this paper. The urine calcium content, serum calcium, and phosphorus contents, bone mineral content, mineral dissolution, and mechanical strength of the osteopenic rats were analyzed respectively. After the rats were fed with Ga, Ge, and Sr diet for 8 weeks, respectively, the urine calcium content decreased (P < 0.01). Plasma calcium and phosphate concentrations decreased in the order of OVX group > Ge group > Sr group > Ga group > Sham group. Mineral content increased in the order of OVX group < Ge group < Sr group < Ga group < Sham group. A dramatic decrease in calcium solubility was found both in the gallium and strontium treated animals (P < 0.05). However, the same result did not occur in germanium treated groups. The data provide an important proof of concept that gallium and strontium might be a new potential therapy for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis in humans.

Topics: Animals; Female; Gallium; Germanium; Osteoporosis; Ovariectomy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Strontium

The effect of therapeutic agents on trabecular bone loss in the mandible was investigated in ovariectomized rats. Eighty-seven Wistar SPF female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or given a sham operation (Sham), and maintained on a diet containing 0.1% calcium. Four weeks later, groups of OVX rats were treated with estriol (E3), calcitonin (CT), etidronate, or 2-carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132). The Basal group was maintained on a diet containing 1.0% calcium, and the OVX and sham groups on a diet containing 0.1% calcium. The trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone mineral content (BMC) in 11 mandibular slices from 0.5 mm at the mesial margin of the first molar to 0.5 mm at the distal margin of the third molar, were measured using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). The BMD in the OVX group was lower than that in the Sham group, and decreased BMC was observed only in the molar region. BMD and BMC were increased in the etidronate-treated group, but only BMC was increased in the CT group. E3 treatment increased BMD and BMC; significant increases were also observed beneath the molar. Ge-132 treatment increased both BMD and BMC, especially the latter.

Topics: Animals; Bone Density; Calcitonin; Calcium, Dietary; Estriol; Etidronic Acid; Female; Germanium; Mandibular Diseases; Minerals; Organometallic Compounds; Osteoporosis; Ovariectomy; Propionates; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

1. The therapeutic effect of organic germanium compound, 2-carboxyethylgermaniumsesquioxide (Ge-132), for experimental osteoporosis was studied using ovariectomized rats maintained on a low calcium containing diet. 2. Serum calcitonin (sCT) level was decreased and serum parathyroid hormone (sPTH) level was increased by ovariectomy and the decrement and increment rates, respectively, were reduced by administration of Ge-132. Thus, the sCT/sPTH ratio was greater in the groups given Ge-132, indicating that the resorption was somehow inhibited by Ge-132. 3. The transverse strength of femur bone was significantly enhanced by Ge-132. 4. A trend was found in the group given Ge-132 for a larger femur cortical bone index. 5. The relative femur bone wet weight was greater in the group given Ge-132. 6. These results indicate that Ge-132 prevents decreased bone strength, and affects the femur cortical bone index, and bone mineral mass caused by osteoporosis.

Topics: Animals; Bone Density; Calcitonin; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Female; Femur; Germanium; Organ Size; Organometallic Compounds; Osteoporosis; Ovariectomy; Parathyroid Hormone; Phosphorus; Propionates; Rats; Rats, Wistar

The new development in QCT and DPA will reduce the time of diagnostic studies to several minutes and improve precision severalfold. It may therefore be feasible to do selective screening procedures at costs as low as $50 to $100. Thus, these advances in QCT and DPA are promising to provide capabilities that have been needed in bone densitometry--high reliability, excellent patient throughput, and services at economical levels.

Topics: Bone and Bones; Costs and Cost Analysis; Gadolinium; Germanium; Humans; Osteoporosis; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide Imaging; Spine; Tomography, X-Ray Computed