Combining oral MK-677 (which builds bone) with alendronate (which prevents bone breakdown) maintained higher bone formation than alendronate alone in postmenopausal women, supporting a dual approach to osteoporosis.
Build + protectMK-677 sustained bone formation that alendronate alone suppressed, creating a dual-mechanism approach: build new bone while preventing old bone loss
What the researchers found
MK-677 combined with alendronate maintained higher bone formation markers than alendronate alone over 12 months in postmenopausal women, demonstrating complementary mechanisms: IGF-1-stimulated bone building plus anti-resorptive bone protection.
Why it matters
Current osteoporosis drugs are mainly anti-resorptive (they slow bone loss). Adding a bone-building agent could produce superior outcomes. This study demonstrates the principle with an oral GH secretagogue.
How the study worked
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Postmenopausal women received: MK-677 25mg/day, alendronate 10mg/day, combination, or placebo for 12 months. Bone turnover markers, BMD, IGF-1 measured.
What this study cannot tell us
Bone turnover markers are surrogates — actual fracture prevention not assessed. 12 months may not predict long-term bone density outcomes. Sample size details not in abstract.
How to read the evidence
Moderate evidence from a well-designed 12-month RCT with bone turnover markers, limited by surrogate endpoints rather than fracture data.
When this study was published
Published in 2001. The concept of combining anabolic and anti-resorptive therapies for osteoporosis has been validated with other drugs (romosozumab + denosumab).
The bigger picture
Osteoporosis treatment may need both offense (building bone) and defense (preventing breakdown). MK-677's bone-building effect via IGF-1 complements alendronate's bone-protecting effect for a dual-mechanism approach.
Questions still open
- Does the dual approach reduce fracture risk more than alendronate alone?
- What is the optimal duration of combined therapy?
- Could MK-677 replace teriparatide as the bone-building partner?
Common questions
Why combine two osteoporosis approaches?
Is this better than alendronate alone?
Read the original research
Effect of alendronate and MK-677 (a growth hormone secretagogue), individually and in combination, on markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 86(3), 1116-25
Citation
Murphy, M G; Weiss, S; McClung, M; Schnitzer, T; Cerchio, K; Connor, J; Krupa, D; Gertz, B J. (2001). Effect of alendronate and MK-677 (a growth hormone secretagogue), individually and in combination, on markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 86(3), 1116-25.