Bone Quality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Current Concepts and Future Directions − Part II

Abstract

Background

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, which is due not only to low bone volume and mass but also poor microarchitecture and tissue quality. The pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions detailed, herein, are potential approaches to improve bone health in CKD patients. Various medications build up bone mass but also affect bone tissue quality. Antiresorptive therapies strikingly reduce bone turnover; however, they can impair bone mineralization and negatively affect the ability to repair bone microdamage and cause an increase in bone brittleness. On the other hand, some osteoporosis therapies may cause a redistribution of bone structure that may improve bone strength without noticeable effect on BMD. This may explain why some drugs can affect fracture risk disproportionately to changes in BMD.

Summary

An accurate detection of the underlying bone abnormalities in CKD patients, including bone quantity and quality abnormalities, helps in institution of appropriate management strategies. Here in this part II, we are focusing on advancements in bone therapeutics that are anticipated to improve bone health and decrease mortality in CKD patients.

Key Messages

Therapeutic interventions to improve bone health can potentially advance life span. Emphasis should be given to the impact of various therapeutic interventions on bone quality.

Introduction

There is an increased risk of fracture in the patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]. Studies have demonstrated an increased risk of hip fracture over the past decades despite an intensive focus on treatments for renal osteodystrophy (ROD) [2, 3]. The bone quantity, quality, and remodeling abnormalities are important factors that determine the treatment method. Treatments only focused on the abnormal bone quantity of CKD are thus not likely to be efficacious in preventing fractures due to many other risk factors that affect bone quality and remodeling [4]. There are different nonpharmacological and pharmacological means to improve bone quantity, quality, and function, which lead to better outcomes with a reasonable approach. Therefore, there is a lot to learn about the pathogenesis and treatment of bone disease in CKD patients.

Nonpharmacological Approach

Bone quality in CKD patients is affected not only by vitamin D deficiency and hyperparathyroidism but also by comorbidities, such as myopathy, neuropathy, and malnutrition along with inactivity. All these play a role in bone loss, muscle weakness, falls, and fracture. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as smoking cessation, reducing alcohol consumption, weight-bearing/resistance exercise, and physical therapy can technically improve bone quality and muscle power, resulting in reduced falls and fragility fractures [5, 6, 7].

Smoking negatively affects bone health by inducing more bone resorption and mineralization defect [8]. In addition, predialysis CKD patients, who are smokers have higher phosphate levels independent of FGF23 and renal function [9]. Concerning the acute detrimental effects of excess alcohol consumption, Asadipooya and Graves reported that excess alcohol consumption caused transient osteoporosis. Alcohol can directly affect bone by reducing osteoblasts and increasing osteoclasts [10]. Moreover, it can indirectly cause systemic alterations, including liver damage, pancreatic damage, muscle atrophy, neuropathy, hormonal changes (PTH, sex hormones, and growth hormone), oxidative stress, and inflammation.

The progression of CKD is associated with physical deterioration, and thus encouraging exercise and rehabilitation is pivotal [11]. However, the optimal level of exercise for CKD patients has not been completely determined. The key points for CKD patients are the individualization of an exercise training program based on baseline functional status, consistency of participation, and assessment of progression [6]. The main concern is cardiovascular status, and it is important to consider the American Heart Association recommendations [12]. It is recommended to start regular exercise slowly 2–3 times a week, as tolerated, and if possible under supervision then increase to 3–5 times a week. This includes weight-bearing, muscle reinforcement, and balance enhancement [6]. Exercise in CKD patients generally improves muscle power, mass, and function. It substantially reduces systemic inflammation, in addition to the improvement of nutrition, body mass index, and BMD in CKD including dialysis patients [6, 13]. Lean body mass positively correlates with total bone mineral content and BMD in peritoneal dialysis patients [14]. Grzegorzewska and Młot-Michalska [15] reported that total body mass correlated better with femoral neck BMD in dialysis patients than body mass index. However, Fournie et al. [16] revealed that fat mass is negatively correlated with bone quality including cortical and trabecular thickness while lean body mass did not correlate with total volumetric BMD, measured by HR-pQCT. Furthermore, exercise has anabolic effects to prevent muscle wasting [17] and moreover can improve bone formation markers in hemodialysis (HD) patients [18]. Additionally, Marinho et al. [19] reported that BMD significantly improved after 24 weeks of resistance exercise in HD patients.

Exercise, in general, modifies calcium homeostasis and calcium-related hormones, such as PTH, vitamin D metabolites, and calcitonin. It decreases ionized calcium and increases PTH and vitamin D metabolite levels. The change in PTH, which is determined by type, duration, and intensity of exercise, can potentially have bone anabolic effects [20]. It increases bone turnover and metabolism by affecting growth factor signals and endocrine regulators of bone [21]. Furthermore, aerobic exercise during HD causes peripheral vasodilation and thus hypothetically improves solute removal during dialysis. However, the effects of exercise on dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) are controversial [22, 23]. Orcy et al. [24] reported that exercise improved phosphate removal without affecting urea, creatinine, and potassium clearance.

Exercise is a downregulator of sclerostin, which inhibits bone formation. Sclerostin levels predicted bone loss in dialysis patients [25] and correlated inversely with physical activity in CKD stage 3 and 4 patients [26]. Nevertheless, exercise in CKD rats is accompanied by a reduction of serum sclerostin and improvement of bone microarchitecture [27]. However, the sclerostin levels did not significantly change after exercise in CKD stage 3–5 patients including those on dialysis [18, 26].

High-calorie diet in CKD patients, despite causing weight gain, is associated with less urea generation. In addition, weight loss and malnutrition correlated with worsened outcomes in CKD patients [28]. However, high-fat diets can reduce calcium absorption and consequently elevate 1,25(OH)₂D, PTH, and phosphate absorption in CKD patients [28] and experimental animals [29]. An energy-dense diet rich in phosphate can induce a positive phosphate balance and consequently increases FGF23 and PTH and decreases calcitriol levels [28]. Diet that includes certain micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, plant-based food, fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and Mediterranean diet is associated with better bone health and less osteoarthritis [30]. They even can lower the risk of CKD and delay CKD progression [31]. This can impact bone health through improvement of calcium, phosphate, and PTH regulation. Contrarily, high-calorie nutrients including trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol can lead to chronic inflammation. This can potentially worsen the bone health [30]. The effects of high-protein diet with high endogenous acid production and chronic metabolic acidosis on BMD and fracture are controversial [32, 33]. Plant rather than animal sources of proteins can help bone collagen without inducing more acid load. However, a meta-analysis did not show a benefit of soy protein versus animal protein on BMD, BTMs, and fracture [34]. Nevertheless, most studies were observational studies or interventional trials with a small number of enrollees, and hence further studies warranted to clarify the exact effects of diet on bone health. Ascorbic acid supplements transiently increased serum calcium level, without significantly affecting serum phosphate and PTH levels. Its use in CKD patients is not supported [35].

In a recent meta-analysis, low-protein diet supplemented with keto-analogs seemed to help kidney function and CKD-MBD parameters [36]. Furthermore, keto-analog supplementation in CKD patients is associated with improvement of bone metabolism and insulin sensitivity [37]. This might be similar to the effects of low-protein and vegetarian diet in CKD patients [38]. The pharmacological and nonpharmacological bone quality interventions in CKD patients are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Treatment modalities of mineral bone disorders in CKD patients

Treatment modalities	Role in bone metabolism
Nonpharmacological
Smoking cessation	Smoking induces bone resorption and mineralization defect Smoking increases phosphorus levels in predialysis CKD patients
Limiting alcohol	Reduces osteoblast and increases osteoclast Systemic alterations
Exercise as tolerated	Anabolic effects: prevents muscle wasting, improves BMI and BMD Reduces inflammation Improves Ca and PO4 homeostasis Experimentally improves bone microarchitecture in CKD rats Downregulates sclerostin production
Diet (micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, plant-based food, fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and Mediterranean)	Pro-inflammatory diet (high-calorie nutrients) is associated with lower BMD and higher fracture risk Plant sources of proteins can help bone collagen without inducing acid load Low-protein diet with ketoanalogues may help CKD parameters
Pharmacological
Phosphate-lowering therapies (calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, sevelamer, lanthanum, tenapanor)	First line in CKD patients Improve SHPT and BMD in CKD patients Calcium containing binders may induce LTBD more than sevelamer and lanthanum Lanthanum improves bone turnover, bone volume, mineralization of periosteal surface and endocortical surface in dialysis patients
Vitamin D and VDRA (calcitriol, paricalcitol, doxercalciferol, alfacalcidol)	First-line therapy in CKD with SHPT and vitamin D deficiency Higher risk of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia with VDRAs than vitamin D Maintaining vitamin D at a balanced level, even combination of vitamin D and VDRA is helpful for SHPT and bone markers VDRAs may induce LTBD
Calcimimetics (cinacalcet and etelcalcetide)	Control SHPT and fracture risk Decrease high BTMs toward normal Etelcalcetide might be more effective in reducing the bone turnover in patients with severe SHPT Might have PTH independent anabolic bone effects
Antiresorptive therapies
BPs	Mainly studied in osteoporotic early CKD patients without evidence of LTBD Longer half-life in advanced stages of CKD and may induce LTBD Decrease bone loss with less impact on bone quality
Denosumab	Not renally excreted and so does not accumulate in CDK patients Safely improves BMD and reduces fractures in postmenopausal women with CKD stage 1–4 Increases BMD and decreases iPTH in dialysis patients with iPTH >1,000 pg/mL Reduces bone turnover more than BPs Might cause profound hypocalcemia especially in advanced CKD
Gonadal hormones and SERM (sex hormones, raloxifene, and bazedoxifene)	Raloxifene increases BMD and improves bone quality in postmenopausal women with CKD Bazedoxifene improves renal function, BMD, and phosphate excretion in postmenopausal women Bazedoxifene reduces BTMs and fractures in postmenopausal women with CKD Similar vertebral fractures risk reduction compared to BPs Transdermal HRT in premenopausal dialysis women improves lumbar spine BMD
Calcitonin	Combined with vitamin D, increases BMD Calcitonin prevents the bone loss after kidney transplant
Strontium	Low doses can stimulate bone formation, but high doses may cause mineralization defect/osteomalacia in CKD patients
Anabolic therapies
Teriparatide and abaloparatide	Improve bone formation in patients with LTBD Improve or maintain lumbar spine BMD Reduce the fracture rate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and mild to moderate CKD
Romosozumab	Not studied in CKD patients, and there is a concern of increased extraskeletal calcification Alendronate might have a protective impact in reducing romosozumab CV events
New therapies
Cathepsin K antagonists	Provide potential role as antiresorptive therapy in metabolic bone disorders Was not approved by FDA, due to a concern of increased risk of cerebrovascular events
Anti-FGF23 antibodies	Approved by the FDA for treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia May lead to hyperphosphatemia in early CKD patients Not enough evidence to use in advanced CKD patients

CKD, chronic kidney disease; LTBD, low turnover bone disease; VDRA, vitamin D receptor activator; P, phosphate; FGF23, fibroblast growth factor 23; VDRA, vitamin D receptor activator; BPs, bisphosphonates; SERMs, selective esterogen receptor modulators; BMI, body mass index.

Pharmacological Approach

Hormonal and biomarker changes are the main targets of pharmacological approaches in CKD-MBD patients. In addition, we must consider the state of bone turnover, bone density, potential of mineralization defect, microarchitecture changes, and other indicators of bone quality changes, together with the responsible mechanisms to be able to institute the right therapeutic approach. Herein, we are trying to focus on the impact of various therapeutic interventions on bone quality in CKD patients. The mechanisms of action of bone pharmacotherapeutics are illustrated in Figure 1.

Fig. 1.

Mechanisms of action of bone pharmacotherapeutics: vitamin D stimulates the release of 23 FGF23 and sclerostin from osteocytes. Sclerostin has an inhibitory effect on Wnt signaling and OPG production from osteoblasts. Romosozumab blocks sclerostin. DKK1 is another inhibitor of the Wnt pathway. OPG is a decoy receptor that binds RANK-L and prevents stimulation of OCLs. FGF23 inhibits phosphate reabsorption in the kidneys, decreases activation of vitamin D and PTH release. Calcimimetics and VDRA inhibit the production of PTH. P has a stimulatory effect on PTH, FGF23 as well as sclerostin release and an inhibitory effect on activation of vitamin D. Denosumab binds RANK-L and consequently inhibits osteoclastic differentiation. BPs inhibit the maturation of osteoclast precursors and bone resorption. SERMs act on osteoblasts and stimulate the production of OPG and consequently inhibit osteoclast function. Teriparatide and abaloparatide have anabolic effects on bone and stimulate both osteoblastic activity and bone turnover. Arrow with plus sign denotes stimulatory effect; red dotted line indicates inhibitory effect; arrow without plus sign denotes expression or release of a substance. MSCs; RANK-L receptor (RANK); 1,25 di-hydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25 [OH]2 D3); HSCs; FPPS; and PTHRP. P, phosphate; FGF23, fibroblast growth factor 23; OPG, osteoprotegerin; DKK1, dikkopf-related protein 1; RANK-L, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand; OCL, osteoclasts; PTH, parathyroid hormone; VDRA, vitamin D receptor activator; BPs, bisphosphonates; SERMs, selective esterogen receptor modulators; MSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; HSCs, hematopoietic stem cells; FPPS, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase; PTHRP, parathyroid hormone-related protein analog.

Calcium Supplements

The use of calcium supplements was advocated because of their possible benefits to bone health. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, increased habitual calcium intake lowered markers of bone turnover [39]. In a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), the use of supplements that included calcium, vitamin D, or both compared with placebo was not associated with a low risk of fractures among older patients [40].

There was a misconception that CKD patients are necessarily calcium deficient but there is a strong evidence that they are in a positive calcium balance, especially those on high-calcium diet [41] or calcium supplements [42]. Moreover, positive calcium balance can lead to extraskeletal deposition of calcium in the myocardium, small, and large arteries leading to increased cardiovascular risk [43]. Possibility of positive calcium balance and increased extraskeletal calcification should be taken in consideration while prescribing calcium supplements to CKD patients.

Phosphate Binders

Hyperphosphatemia participates in the development of bone fragility directly by suppressing 1-alpha-hydroxylase activity and indirectly by increasing PTH, FGF23, and sclerostin levels [44]. There is a positive correlation between serum phosphorus levels and fracture risk in healthy subjects [45] and CKD patients [44, 45]. Of note, posttransplant hypophosphatemia has also been shown to predispose to osteoporosis by impairing osteoblastogenesis and inducing osteoblast apoptosis [46].

The KDIGO guideline recommends lowering serum phosphorus levels toward the normal range in CKD patients by dietary phosphate restriction and using phosphate-lowering therapies. Treatment of hyperphosphatemia inhibits the oversecretion of PTH and the development of high turnover bone disease (HTBD). There are different forms of phosphate-lowering therapies, including calcium-containing (calcium carbonate and calcium acetate) and noncalcium-containing binders (sevelamer, lanthanum, ferric citrate, and sucroferric oxyhydroxide). More recently, tenapanor (inhibitor of intestinal sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3, which blocks paracellular transport of phosphate from the intestinal lumen) has been approved for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients [44].

Phosphate binders have been shown to have variable effects on BMD in moderate CKD patients. Calcium-containing phosphate binders have been shown to decrease [47] or increase BMD [48]. However, Block et al. [48] reported that phosphate binders when evaluated together (calcium acetate, lanthanum carbonate, and sevelamer carbonate) improved annual lumbar spine BMD measured by QCT. It is unclear if these changes in BMD translate to improvement in bone quality and fracture risk.

Raggi et al. [47] reported that calcium-containing phosphate binders in HD patients led to a decrease in thoracic vertebral trabecular and cortical bone attenuation measured by CT. This was associated with lower bone turnover compared to sevelamer in this study. The data about correlations between calcium-based phosphate binders and low turnover bone disease (LTBD) are inconsistent [49, 50, 51]. Barreto et al. [50] and Ferreira et al. [51] found no difference in bone turnover or other bone histopathologic parameters using calcium containing phosphate binders compared to sevelamer in dialysis patients. However, Ferreira et al. [51] observed no differences in mineralization, but increase in bone formation besides improvement of trabecular architecture in sevelamer treated patients.

We have previously reported that lanthanum leads to higher bone turnover and volume in HD patients in comparison to calcium-containing phosphate binders [49]. This can be related to an improvement [52, 53] or prevention [54] of LTBD in HD patients. Zhang et al. [55] reported that in diabetic dialysis patients with LTBD, lanthanum improved BMD accompanied by an increase in BTMs and iPTH compared to calcium carbonate. Lanthanum increases mineralization of periosteal surface and endocortical surface [53]. Furthermore, the BMD improvement could be due to accumulation of lanthanum in bone [52], although other studies reported this deposition is negligible [49, 56]. The long-term effects of lanthanum on fracture risk in CKD patients are unclear.

Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor Activators

Vitamin D attracted considerable attention because of its roles in calcium homeostasis, bone and muscle metabolism, inflammation, and PTH [57]. CKD patients have higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, which is not only associated with SHPT and HTBD but also correlates with low BMD, muscle weakness, and increased risk of falls and fracture [58]. Vitamin D deficiency in CKD patients reduces bone formation, increases subperiosteal resorption, and leads to bone demineralization and bone loss [59]. Vitamin D supplementation is a first-line therapy in CKD patients with low vitamin D levels and SHPT. It has a little effect on PTH and BTMs and is associated with lower risk of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia than vitamin D receptor activators (VDRAs) [58]. In addition, activation of vitamin D seemed to continue even in dialysis patients, as supplementation with native vitamin D in HD patients increased 1,25(OH)₂D levels [60]. This could be due to extrarenal activity of 1-alpha-hydroxylase [58]. Of note, observational studies are the main source of the justification of vitamin D supplementation in CKD patients and the optimal level besides its effect on bone density, architecture, quality, and fracture needs more studies. Remarkably, African Americans with CKD had lower 25(OH)D and higher PTH levels [61], but higher BMD [62] and lower fracture rate compared to Whites [63].

VDRAs (calcitriol, alfacalcidol, paricalcitol, and doxercalciferol) can effectively reduce PTH and improve bone histomorphometry in CKD stage 3–5 patients [64]. Six-month use of paricalcitol increased lumbar spine BMD, decreased bone remodeling, and mineral loss along with reducing PTH in kidney transplant recipients with SHPT [65]. Their effects on PTH reduction was less compared to cinacalcet and they may lead to hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevation of FGF23 [64], and increase in sclerostin level [66]. In addition, VDRA can induce LTBD [64]. In a small 12-month placebo-controlled RCT, calcitriol changed the spectrum of the bone disease from HTBD to LTBD in CKD patients prior to dialysis [67]. Furthermore, there is a potential risk of coronary calcification with VDRA use [68].

Generally, vitamin D should be kept at well-balanced levels to maintain the structural integrity of bone, especially in CKD patients [58]. Vondracek and Hoody recommended maintaining 25-OH vitamin D levels between 30 and 50 ng/mL, with native vitamin D and/or VDRA in advanced CKD patients. They highlighted the need for RCTs evaluating the safety and efficacy of combination therapy [69].

Calcimimetics (Cinacalcet, Evocalcet, and Etelcalcetide)

Calcimimetics reduce PTH synthesis and secretion by enhancing the sensitivity of calcium-sensing receptors in parathyroid glands leading to reduction of high PTH-induced outflow of calcium and phosphate from bone [70]. Cinacalcet has favorable effects on HTBD in dialysis patients. It reduced PTH, BTMs, and improved histological parameters of bone turnover [71]. The effect of cinacalcet on fracture is uncertain, but it decreases the need for parathyroidectomy [72]. Moreover, it has a better PTH reduction efficacy than vitamin D and VDRAs in CKD or HD patients with SHPT [73, 74].

Etelcalcetide is the first FDA approved injectable calcimimetic. Etelcalcetide was superior to placebo and even other calcimimetics (cinacalcet and evocalcet) in the reduction of PTH in CKD patients with SHPT [74], with more pronounced reductions in serum FGF23 and BTMs than placebo [75] and cinacalcet [76]. Moreover, its effect was sustained with no new safety concerns after its use for 1 year [77]. It may improve adherence to therapy with progressively declining PTH, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase over 1-year of treatment [78]. Etelcalcitide effectively lowered serum FGF23 and BTM levels in a post hoc analysis of a Japanese multicenter study in HD patients with SHPT [79]. To date, there is no clinical data regarding the impact of etelcalcetide on bone histopathology. However, it is experimentally demonstrated that etelcalcetide enhanced osteoblast activity through a non-PTH-dependent pathway [80], besides reducing bone turnover, mineralization defect, and marrow fibrosis with favorable effects on bone structure and strength [81]. It is debatable if calcimimetics exert direct effects on bone. This might open new clinical perspectives to study the impact of various forms of calcimimetics on bone in CKD patients.

Antiresorptive Therapies

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates (BPs) accumulate in the active bone remodeling sites, usually during enhanced bone turnover, increase osteoclast apoptosis, and thus suppress bone resorption. They are mainly used in osteoporosis management in nonadvanced CKD patients without evidence of LTBD. Since BPs are cleared by the kidney, they accumulate in CKD patients and can induce LTBD. Furthermore, several studies reported that some BPs, particularly zoledronic acid, have deleterious effects on kidney function. They can induce collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and/or tubular toxicity [82]. This may be reversible upon discontinuation of medication or switching to other antiresorptives, such as denosumab [83]. Moreover, they also increase sclerostin production that might decrease bone formation through inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway [84]. However, they increase serum PTH level in postmenopausal HD patients [82]. Alarkawi et al. [85] in a large recent retrospective study reported that BPs decreased fracture risk and may have a survival benefit in advanced CKD patients with prior history of fractures.

In kidney transplant recipients, BPs increased lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD [86], but their outcomes on fracture reduction were heterogenous [86, 87]. In a pooled analysis of 9 trials, risedronate improved BMD, except at the femoral neck in patients with severe CKD. In addition, it reduced vertebral fractures in CKD patients [88]. To the contrary, in a meta-analysis BPs did not lower the fracture rate among kidney transplant recipients and stage 3 or 4 CKD patients [87]. In 4 Japanese placebo-controlled RCTs, risedronate had improved BMD, especially at the lumbar spine, and suppressed BTMs with similar degree of changes in patients with different stages of CKD [89]. Preclinical studies showed that BPs improved bone mass, mineralization, cortical mechanical properties, and bone strength [82]. Toussaint et al. [90] reported that alendronate increased lumbar spine BMD, but not femoral neck BMD, and reduced fracture risk, but not significantly, in women with stage 3–4 CKD. Ward et al. [91] reported BPs improved trabecular bone structure and bone stiffness in postmenopausal osteoporotic women up to 16 years. However, data regarding the impact of BP on bone quality in CKD patients are lacking. Nevertheless, the concern pertaining to development of adynamic bone disease and BPs efficacy and safety in advanced CKD patients remains challenging. KDIGO guideline recommends BP usage in CKD stage 3–5 with biochemical abnormality and low BMD and/or low trauma fracture with consideration of CKD progression, reversibility of biochemical abnormalities, and bone biopsy if needed [92].

Denosumab

Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody to receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). It is a potent antiresorptive medication, cleared by the reticuloendothelial system, and does not accumulate in the setting of kidney dysfunction. It should be avoided in patient with CKD and LTBD [93]. Denosumab increases BMD in CKD patients who had received kidney transplantation [94]. Furthermore, it increases BMD and reduces risk of fracture in women with mild to moderate renal failure (CKD stage 2–3). Long-term treatment with denosumab in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency did not affect the kidney function and were not associated with higher adverse events, including hypocalcemia, during 7- or 10-year treatment [95]. Moreover, in dialysis patients with iPTH >1,000 pg/mL, treatment with denosumab for 6 months increased both femoral neck and lumbar spine BMDs and significantly decreased iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, calcium-phosphorus product, and bone pain [96]. Kunizawa et al. [97] reported that denosumab was almost equally effective in increasing lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD in both ESRD and CKD patients prior to dialysis. However, the risk of hypocalcemia in CKD patients was higher in advanced stages [93, 95], but it was mitigated by its transient and nonserious side effects. To date, there are no studies that have investigated the impact of denosumab on bone morphology in CKD patients. Denosumab in postmenopausal women maintained trabecular and cortical microarchitecture, mineralization, and moreover reduced cortical porosity. Bone histomorphometry showed reduction of bone resorption and decrease in static and dynamic bone formation indices. The reduction in bone turnover was greater than BPs [98].

Gonadal Hormones and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator

It is evident that CKD patients have a higher rate of fracture and gonadal dysfunction, but there is no consistent correlation between gonadal dysfunction and ROD. In addition, the impact of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) on bone health in CKD patients is not very-well studied. SERM increased BMD and improved bone health in postmenopausal women with CKD [99]. Interestingly, in a recent prospective study, bazedoxifene improved renal function, and phosphate excretion in postmenopausal osteoporotic women without severe renal insufficiency [100]. Moreover, it reduced BTMs, and decreased the fracture rate [99, 101]. Of note, SERMs and BPs had the same vertebral fracture reduction benefit; however, the beneficial effects of SERMs on BMD and hip fracture were less than BPs [101]. Moreover, transdermal hormone replacement therapy in premenopausal dialysis women has improved lumbar spine BMD over a period of 12 months. On the other hand, testosterone had relatively improved sexual function, without significant beneficial effects on BMD over a short period (6 months) in men on dialysis [99].

Calcitonin and Strontium

Calcitonin increases renal calcium reabsorption and decreases renal phosphorus reabsorption, which leads to reduction of PTH levels and osteoclastic activity. Calcitonin in rats with moderate CKD reduced osteomalacia [102]. It prevents osteoclast maturation but promotes osteoblast differentiation. It can prevent bone loss in dialysis patients [103]. In HD patients, the effect of combination of intranasal calcitonin and 1-alpha-(OH)-D3 on increasing BMD and reducing bone resorption marker (serum hydroxyproline) was better than each one alone [104]. Calcitonin prevented bone loss, especially at the lumbar spine, in kidney transplant recipient [105], but had no significant effect on reducing fracture risk [105]. In addition, the beneficial effects of calcitonin on the skeleton gradually disappears because of antibody formation and receptor downregulation [102]. Moreover, the long-term use of calcitonin may increase the risk of cancers [106]. Clinicians must take into the account the little benefits on bone health and the safety profile before prescribing calcitonin. The role of strontium seems to be complex and dose dependent, as low doses of strontium stimulate bone formation, but high doses may cause mineralization defect/osteomalacia in CKD patients [107].

Bone Builders/Anabolics

Teriparatide and Abaloparatide

Currently, LTBD is the most common ROD pattern in dialysis patients [108]. Teriparatide can potentially have beneficial effects in CKD patients with LTBD. Teriparatide improved lumbar spine BMD, but its impact on femoral neck BMD was inconsistent in both HD and earlier stages of CKD patients [87, 109, 110]. Teriparatide improved bone formation, confirmed by bone biopsy, in an HD patient with LTBD [111]. Daily teriparatide injections are usually well tolerated [112]. However, there is a possible risk of hypotension with weekly injection (higher dose at a time) due to the vasodilatory effect of PTH [109, 110]. Interestingly, 3 times a week (20 μg) [113] and weekly (56.5-μg) [109, 110] teriparatide injections in dialysis, patients showed almost similar benefits. It also improved BTMs and would improve compliance and the safety profile [109, 110]. Because teriparatide use was associated with dose-dependent increased risk of osteosarcoma in rats, but in humans less than the background incidence rate, its use in humans is usually limited to 18–24 months.

Abaloparatide reduced the incidence of fractures with an acceptable safety profile in a large phase 3, double-blinded, placebo-controlled RCT in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [114]. Similar to teriparatide, abaloparatide reduced fracture (especially vertebral) rates in mild to moderate CKD patients in a post hoc analysis. Interestingly, abaloparatide had a better impact on lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD in patients with eGFR <60 mL/min [115]. In terms of histomorphometry, abaloparatide and teriparatide groups had a lower eroded surface than placebo but only the abaloparatide group reached significance. Cortical porosity was higher in both the abaloparatide and the teriparatide groups than in the placebo group. In addition, there was less pronounced increase in CTX in the abaloparatide group than the teriparatide group [116].

Romosozumab

CKD progression leads to higher sclerostin levels, which is associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular events [117]. The major source of sclerostin is osteocytes but is secreted by the kidney, liver, and vascular wall too [84]. Romosozumab is a sclerostin monoclonal antibody that increases the bone formation and decreases fracture risk. It would be an interesting approach for CKD patients with LTBD [118]. Antisclerostin antibody in CKD rats improved the trabecular bone volume and mineralization, but without significant improvement of biomechanical properties [119]. There is a concern about increased extraskeletal calcification with its usage, so in CKD patients it should be used with caution, as cardiovascular calcification is a main contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CKD patients [118]. Nevertheless, alendronate might have a protective impact on reducing the potential romosozumab cardiovascular adverse events [84].

New Therapies

Anti-FGF23 Antibodies

In early CKD stages, FGF23 oversecretion is a compensatory mechanism to maintain mineral homeostasis. However, FGF23 downregulates vitamin D and is associated with various adverse events in advanced CKD patients [120, 121]. Burosumab is a monoclonal antibody against FGF23 approved by the FDA for treatment of children [122] and adults [123] with X-linked hypophosphatemia. It improved fractures and increased BTMs compared to placebo [123]. There are potential risks and benefits of using anti-FGF23 antibody therapy in CKD patients. It may lead to hyperphosphatemia in predialysis CKD patients. However, it might pose a lower risk in ESRD patients, as different modalities regulate phosphorus homeostasis. Further studies are needed before using burosumab in CKD patients [120, 121].

Cathepsin K Antagonists

Cathepsin K antagonists were developed to decrease bone resorption. In an animal study, cathepsin K inhibitor increased cortical BMD and bone strength [124]. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that cathepsin K antagonists have a potential role in metabolic bone disorders especially in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis [125, 126]. Odanacatib increased BMD and suppressed bone resorption, without affecting bone formation markers, in postmenopausal women with low BMD. However, these effects were reversible after its discontinuation [127]. These agents were never studied in CKD patients and did not reach phase IV trials due to a concern of increased cerebrovascular events [128].

It is worth mentioning that, despite none of these new agents were developed specifically for the CKD population, their development highlights an exciting future for the improvement of bone quality in CKD patients. They culminate a departure from treating ROD as a metabolic and hormonal derangement to a cellular and biological bone-centric approach focused on bone cell signaling and interactions. How these potential therapeutic developments are going to affect the skeletal and extraskeletal manifestations of CKD needs to be investigated.

Conclusion

The bone quality and quantity abnormalities in CKD patients are complex. After confirming the diagnosis of ROD and determining the fracture risk, patients should be counseled on lifestyle modifications that are beneficial to their bone. Ultimately, CKD patients should be managed with strategies not only focusing on bone quantity but also bone quality abnormalities. Knowing the pathophysiology of bone damage in the setting of CKD can help in distinguishing patients who might benefit from anabolic versus antiresorptive therapies. The therapeutic developments directed toward improving bone quality in CKD patients are predicted to change nephrology practice patterns and lead to improved quality of life and decreased mortality in our CKD patients.

Statement of Ethics

The authors have no ethical conflicts to disclose.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Funding Sources

The authors received no specific funding for this article. No funding for the article design, preparation of the manuscript, or any other article-related work.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed equally in reviewing the literature and writing the manuscript.