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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th September 2020
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RVC study offers hope for osteoporosis sufferers
An estimated 500,000 people are hospitalised every year for fractures owing to osteoporosis.
Researchers present NaQuinate treatment found to prevent bone loss.

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have highlighted a promising new treatment for people living with skeletal disorders.

Scientists say the treatment - NaQuinate - presented today (11 September) at the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), could be used to manage osteoporosis, a debilitating condition that affects more than three million people in the UK.

NaQuinate is a naturally occurring metabolite of vitamin K. Previous studies have shown that it can protect against the loss in bone quality that occurs in ovariectomy in mouse and rat models.

In this new study, NaQuinate was also shown to significantly synergise with mechanical loading in targeted regions of cortical bone. The treatment is currently in Phase I clinical trials to establish its safety and efficacy as a treatment for post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

Professor Andrew Pitsillides, Professor of Skeletal Dynamics at the RVC, said: “There are three main ways to maintain bone quality and strength to resist fracture: stop bone loss, build mass and enhance the topographical changes to optimise and enhance weight-bearing roles. It may be that NaQuinate can achieve a balance of all three to treat osteoporosis and better maintain healthy ageing.”

An estimated 500,000 people are hospitalised every year for broken bones owing to osteoporosis. The condition causes a significant social and economic burden, with breaks often leading to a downward spiral of disability, loss of independence and increased mortality.

Prof Pitsillides added: “At the RVC we recognise the importance of a collaborative ‘One Health’ approach which operates at the cutting edge of veterinary and human medicine, and this research could pave the way for a novel treatment for this common and debilitating condition.”

The study was developed in collaboration between the Skeletal Biology group at the RVC and biotechnology company Haoma Medica.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."