Studies by scientists at the Women's College Research Institute and the University of Toronto, Canada, indicates that the use of nitroglycerin ointment has the potential to increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.

An initial study provide hope for the availability of an effective and inexpensive treatment for bone disease or osteoporosis.

In the Journal of the American Medical Association reported the use of nitroglycerin ointment for two years in post-menopausal women a significant effect on increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and decrease bone resorption.

"Nitroglycerin can stimulate bone formation and prevent resorption. It can give an effect on bone density and structure," said researchers in a report.

Nitroglycerin has been previously used extensively as a vasodilator, a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels and help solve problems of the heart such as angina and chronic heart problems.


Sophie Jamal and his team tested the efficacy of nitroglycerin ointment improvement the bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and pelvis. In addition to using nitroglycerin, the researchers also use a placebo as a comparator.


A total of 243 post-menopausal women were included in the research that took place between November 2005 to March 2010. Respondents were randomly selected to use nitroglycerin ointment or placebo, which is massaged before sleep for two years.

The results show, the group given nitroglycerin showed a significant increase in BMD at the lumbar spine (6.7 percent), hip (6.2 percent), and femoral neck (7.0 percent) over 24 months than those who were given placebo.

Users nitroglycerin also increased BMD and bone strength on the radius and tibia bone. In addition, compared to placebo, the use of nitroglycerin was significantly associated with increased specific alkaline phosphate, which is a marker of bone formation and decrease in N-telopeptide (markers of bone resorption).

Meanwhile, reports of serious side effects are not too different between the two groups. Among the group who continued treatment for 24 months, cases have been reported headaches in 35 percent of nitroglycerin and 5.4 percent in the placebo group during the first month and showed a decrease after 12 months.

"In conclusion, the granting of nitroglycerin ointment increases bone formation and resorption decrease so as to improve BMD, bone structure and bone strength index at least better than medication at this time. The findings also indicate the use of nitroglycerin per day lowered the risk of vertebral fractures and non-vertebral. Efficacy of nitrate reduce fracture risk should be examined again in a larger scale, randomized and controlled."