Introduction: As a result of preexisting chronic liver disease and immunosuppression, the majority of liver transplant patients develop bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the first 3 to 6 months posttransplantation, leading to an increased fracture risk. Using basic prophylaxis and treatment by administration of vitamin D, calcium, and bisphosphonates, BMD loss may be controlled in the long term. In contrast, there is no established medical concept for prevention of early posttransplant BMD loss.
Material and methods: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E1 on BMD after liver transplantation. Between 1998 and 2004, 29 patients were enrolled in this study. BMD measurement was performed at lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual energy x-ray absorptometry pretransplant, and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months posttransplant. All patients received calcium and vitamin D as basic prophylaxis. In 13 patients, prostaglandin E1 (PGE) was additionally administered for 12 days posttransplant.
Results: BMD loss was significantly lower at 3 and 6 months posttransplant in the PGE group (lumbar spine, P < .03; femoral neck, P < .009). Development of BMD loss was comparable between both groups during further follow-up. In the PGE group there was a significantly lower fracture rate compared with the controls (P < .02).
Conclusion: The application of PGE 1 proved to be beneficial in compensating the early posttransplant BMD loss and in subsequently reducing fracture rate. These positive effects of PGE 1 could be demonstrated in both the femoral neck and lumbar spine.