JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Review
Clinical implications of the osteoprotegerin/RANKL/RANK system for bone and vascular diseases.
Bone resorption by osteoclasts is coupled with bone formation by osteoblasts, and this balanced process continuously remodels and adapts the skeleton. The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) has been identified as an essential cytokine for the formation and activation of osteoclasts. The effects of RANKL are physiologically counterbalanced by the decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG). ⋯ Moreover, alterations of the OPG/RANKL/RANK system have been implicated in vascular diseases. RANKL blockade (using OPG or RANK fusion proteins or RANKL antibodies) has prevented bone loss caused by osteoporosis, chronic inflammatory disorders, and malignant tumors in animal models and may emerge as a therapy in humans based on studies in postmenopausal osteoporosis, myeloma bone disease, and osteolytic metastases. This review summarizes the clinical implications of the OPG/RANKL/RANK system for bone and vascular diseases.
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Review Meta Analysis
Pharmacological management to reduce exacerbations in adults with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Over the last 2 decades, many new pharmacological agents have been introduced to reduce the growing morbidity associated with asthma, but the long-term effects of these agents on exacerbations are unclear. ⋯ Inhaled corticosteroids are the single most effective therapy for adult patients with asthma. However, for those unable or unwilling to take corticosteroids, the use of leukotriene modifiers/receptor agonists appears reasonable. Long-acting beta2 agonists may be added to corticosteroids for those who remain symptomatic despite low-dose steroid therapy. Anti-IgE therapy may be considered as adjunctive therapy for young adults with asthma who have clear evidence of allergies and elevated serum IgE levels.