How ACTH and VEGF help bone-forming cells
Regulation of Osteoblasts by ACTH and VEGF
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · NIH-11130932
Seeing if short, intermittent doses of ACTH and signals that boost VEGF can protect bone-forming cells and prevent steroid-related bone damage in people on long-term steroids.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11130932 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers use a rabbit model of high-dose steroid exposure together with experiments on human bone cells to find ACTH dose levels that increase VEGF and help osteoblasts survive and grow. In rabbits they give brief, intermittent ACTH and measure bone damage, osteonecrosis, and bone mass. In the lab they test human osteoblast responses to ACTH and map how ACTH, VEGF, inflammation, and low oxygen interact in bone. The goal is to identify therapies or dosing approaches that could be moved toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People taking long-term or high-dose glucocorticoids who are at risk for steroid-induced bone loss or osteonecrosis would be the main patients of interest.
Not a fit: People with bone problems unrelated to steroid use, those with advanced irreversible bone collapse, or those not exposed to glucocorticoids are unlikely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to ways to protect bone and reduce osteonecrosis and fractures in people taking glucocorticoids.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal work showed intermittent ACTH reduced steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits and VEGF promotes osteoblast growth, but translating these results to human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BLAIR, HARRY COLBERT — VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- Study coordinator: BLAIR, HARRY COLBERT
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.