Mechanisms of action of anticatabolic drugs used in osteoporosis therapy

Abstract

Bone remodeling is essential for skeletal and the whole body health. Imbalance in skeletal turnover, so that bone resorption exceeds bone formation, may lead to reduction in bone strength and increase fractures risk. The main target of anticatabolic therapy is to normalize increased osteoclasts activity and bone turnover. Molecular mechanisms of action of this class of drugs are related with different points in cellular signaling pathways that control osteoclasts differentiation and resorbing activity. These mechanisms are briefly described in our review.