Selective estrogen receptor modulators in post-menopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic disease that occurs when the balance between the processes of bone formation and resorption is lost. OP is characterized by a decrease in bone quality and an increased risk of fractures. In post-menopausal women, as a result of decreased estrogen levels, there is bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy was initially used for the management of OP in post-menopausal women but was soon abandoned due to the occurrence of significant side effects. This shifted research toward the development of a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). These drugs always act through estrogen receptors (ERs), but as agonists or antagonists depending on the tissue under consideration. In particular, SERMs at the level of bone tissue behave as agonists of ERs but, as they do not result in the occurrence of estrogen side effects, they are widely used in the therapy of post-menopausal OP. This review provides a brief summary of the characteristics of SERMs employed in the treatment of post-menopausal OP.