Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentor: Ugis Gruntmanis
Department: Medicine/Endocrinology
Room number: J6,110
Mail Code: 8857
Phone number: 214-648-2215
E-mail: ugis.gruntmanis@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title:
1. Efficacy of testosterone, biphosphonates and combination of both in treatment of male osteoporosis.
2. A Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled pilot trial of testosterone gel in patients with kidney disease requiring dialysis and hypogonadism for the treatment of metabolic bone disease.
3. A one year, placebo-controlled, double blind study to assess the effect of oral ibandronate 150mg Q monthly versus placebo on LS bone mineral density in men with osteoporosis.
Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
0102-022

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
N/A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects). Both of the projects are patient oriented.

Brief Description of Project:

1. First project is a prospective study comparing efficacy of three different treatments for male osteoporosis. As many as half a million males have osteoporosis related fractures annually, yet not data is available on comparative efficacy between two most commonly used treatment regimens in male osteoporosis. Our study will strive to answer this important question.

2. Similarly, male patients with end-stage renal disease suffer from 4x increased risk of bone fractures, decreased life quality and sexual dysfunction. Many of them have also low testosterone levels (male sex hormone). We postulate that replacing testosterone to normal level, it will decrease the risk of bone fractures, will improve life quality and sexual function.

3. Ibandronate (Boniva) once monthly dose is approved treatment for women with osteoporosis. This study will look if Ibandronate increases bone mineral density in men.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Kaloyanova P, Patel V, Ghayee H, Gruntmanis U. No Difference in Prevalence of Pituitary Imaging Abnormalities in Secondary Hypogonadal Men Presenting with Osteoporosis versus Erectile Dysfunction.
Submitted for 88th Endocrine Society meeting in Boston 6/2006

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