Abstract
Since 1988 when a mixture of ranelic acid and strontium was prepared strontium ranelate, which represents one of the most signifi cant drugs for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, the signifi cant effect of strontium on enhancement of bone density was confi rmed. This results in a decrease of osteoporotic fractures of vertebral and peripheral skeleton.
The safety of a long-term intake of strontium ranelate was proved in many studies. At the present, number of methods exist which are capable of analysing the levels of strontium from different biological materials (serum, plasma, urine).
Nevertheless, the most common methods as well as those used most often are atomic absorption spectrometry with fl ame atomization, atomic absorption spectrometry with electrometric atomization in the graphite furnace and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Serum strontium levels in healthy volunteers are < 50 µg/l.
Average levels in patients on strontium ranelate therapy are 10463 +- 1376 µg/l. Strontium is chiefl y excreted by kidney and the mean urinary level is 24535 +- 20570 µg/l.
Strontium clearance is approximately 5.33 ml/s. Due to varying individual bioavailability and compliance of the patients on strontium ranelate therapy is measurement appropriate and benefi cial.