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Dr. Johnston, Ph.D.[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Nikki Johnston, Ph.D.
Professor of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences & Microbiology and Immunology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, N-Zyme Biomedical Inc.
MedicalResearch.com: Please provide a summary of your findings in your Modulation of Pepsin-Mediated Inflammatory Responses in Vocal Cord Epithelial Cells by Amprenavir and how that is impacting your future research studies.
Dr. Johnston: In this study, we wanted to know whether pepsin — the key nonacid component of reflux — could trigger inflammatory signaling in vocal cord epithelial cells, and whether a pepsin inhibitor could reverse that response. We found that exposing human vocal cord cells to pepsin at neutral pH, mimicking the nonacidic conditions typical of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), significantly increased the transcription factor HIF-2α along with the downstream inflammatory genes IL8, IL1B, and ICAM1. Co-treatment with amprenavir, a pepsin inhibitor and the active metabolite of fosamprenavir, reduced HIF-2α levels and significantly suppressed IL8, ICAM1, and TNF expression.
Interestingly, when we blocked HIF-2α's transcriptional activity directly, only IL1B expression was reduced; IL8 and ICAM1 were unaffected or even further increased. This tells us that HIF-2α is one contributor to pepsin-driven inflammation in the vocal cords, but not the whole story — pepsin is very likely activating several parallel stress pathways (NF-κB and MAPK signaling, among others) at the same time. For our future work, this reinforces that a single downstream pathway inhibitor is unlikely to fully quiet pepsin-induced inflammation, whereas a pepsin inhibitor acting further upstream, like amprenavir, has the potential to blunt several of these pathways at once. We are now examining whether similar mechanisms extend to pepsin's emerging role in pulmonary fibrotic disease and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
![Your bones are like a strong wooden frame inside your body. This frame holds you up every single day. It lets you walk, dance, and hug the people you love. But as you get older, that sturdy frame can start to change. It can slowly become thin and brittle. This change is what we call osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes your bones much more likely to snap or break from a simple fall. Sometimes, even a strong cough can cause a bone to break. Gianina Flocco, M.D., a resident at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, notes, "The burden of osteoporosis is rising as the global population ages rapidly. In the U.S., about 10 million adults over the age of 50 have osteoporosis." However, learning the risks and understanding accessible treatment options can prevent the crisis. In this article, we will walk you through why osteoporosis is rising in the aging population and what is making treatment accessible. The USPSTF osteoporosis screening guidelines also provide important context on who should be screened and when. [IMAGE GOES HERE] Why Is Osteoporosis Rising in an Aging Population? To understand why osteoporosis is becoming so common, it helps to look at how our bones naturally age. Bone is living tissue that constantly breaks down and rebuilds itself. When you are a teenager, your body builds new bones much faster than it breaks down the old stuff. Your bones get dense and tough. Now, think about what happens when people hit their 60s and 70s. The loss of bone speeds up. This is especially true for women after menopause. During menopause, a woman's body stops making a hormone called estrogen. Estrogen acts like a shield that protects the bones. Without it, bones start to thin out very fast. Research further shows that having severe bone loss or a broken bone can increase an older woman's overall risk of death by up to 47%. Changes in daily habits also play a part. More sedentary lives (desk jobs and screen time), diets low in calcium and vitamin D, and higher rates of smoking or alcohol use in some groups contribute to this rise. Chronic conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or long-term steroid use accelerate bone loss. How Access to Effective Treatment for Osteoporosis Is Improving Here's how access to effective treatment for osteoporosis is improving: 1. Medicare Covers Osteoporosis Medication Costs Getting diagnosed with osteoporosis is just the first hurdle. The next challenge is figuring out how to pay for the required medication. Prolia (denosumab), a popular injection, is given every six months to help stop bone loss and reduce fracture risk. It's especially helpful for postmenopausal women at high risk. But one shot of this medicine costs between $1,780 and $1,895. The good news is Medicare often covers it. According to LIFE143, Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount, and you cover the other 20% after you meet your annual deductible. A comprehensive guide to Medicare coverage for Prolia injections will give you full details on eligibility and costs. 2. Standardized Post-Fracture Care via Liaison Services Every year, more than 14 million older adults — or 1 in 4 — sustain a fall. When an older adult breaks a wrist or a hip, they go to the emergency room. Doctors fix broken bones there. But once the bone is set, the patient is often sent home without a real plan. No one checks what led to the injury in the first place. This creates a dangerous cycle. A senior breaks a bone, recovers, and returns to normal life, only to fall again a few months later and suffer an even worse fracture. The fracture liaison service can help close this gap. This is a special coordinator program inside hospitals. Whenever a senior arrives with a broken bone, the coordinator automatically schedules the patient for a bone density scan. They connect the patient with a bone specialist right away. The coordinator also ensures the patient starts the correct bone-building medication and creates a clear plan to prevent future falls at home. 3. Expanding Telehealth and Mobile DXA Scanning To know if a patient's bones are weak, a special type of X-ray is done. It is called a DXA scan, which stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. Unfortunately, these large scanning machines are usually located in big city hospitals or specialized imaging centers. For an older adult living in a rural area or a small town, getting to these machines is a chore. They might not drive anymore, or they might live hours away from the nearest clinic. Virtual visits let them discuss risks, review results, adjust treatments, and get lifestyle coaching from home. During and after the pandemic, telehealth has proven vital for ongoing osteoporosis management, which reduces no-shows and improves adherence. These are paired with mobile DXA scanning — portable bone density units that visit communities, senior centers, or primary care sites — to make screening far more reachable. Programs like these have successfully brought testing to rural patients, increasing diagnosis rates without requiring travel to big hospitals. FAQs Can osteoporosis be reversed?While osteoporosis cannot be fully reversed, modern medications, a calcium-rich diet, and regular weight-bearing exercise can significantly rebuild bone density and prevent future fractures. What are the early warning signs of osteoporosis?It is a silent disease with no early symptoms. However, losing height over time or noticing a stooped posture can indicate spinal bone loss. What is the best type of exercise for weak bones?Weight-bearing activities like walking, dancing, and light strength training are best. They force your body to work against gravity, which strengthens your bones. Key Statistics Statistic / Data Point What It Represents 10 million The number of adults in the U.S. over the age of 50 who have osteoporosis. Up to 47% The increase in an older woman's overall risk of death caused by severe bone loss or a broken bone. $1,780 to $1,895 The average cost of one single shot of Prolia (denosumab). 80% The percentage of the approved Prolia cost that Medicare Part B pays after the annual deductible is met. 20% The percentage of the Prolia cost that the patient is responsible for paying after the annual deductible is met. More than 14 million The number of older adults in the U.S. who suffer a fall every single year (equal to 1 in 4 seniors). The rising tide of osteoporosis is a big challenge, but it is one we can definitely win. Prioritizing early screenings and embracing nourishing lifestyle habits makes it possible to rewrite the narrative around aging. And if someone has osteoporosis, there is a wealth of highly effective, accessible medical treatments waiting to help them. Disclaimer: The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Some links are sponsored. Products, services and providers are not warranted or endorsed by MedicalResearch.com or Eminent Domains Inc. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 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