Effect of treatment with simvastatin on bone microarchitecture of the femoral head in an osteoporosis animal model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the microarchitecture and trabecular bone strength at the distal region of the femur, and its biomechanical properties with simvastatin administration with two different doses in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ninety rats were divided into six groups to evaluate treatment with the simvastatin drug (n = 15): SH (Sham surgery), SH-5 (5 mg simvastatin), SH-20 (20 mg simvastatin), OVX, OVX-5, and OVX-20. Euthanasia was performed at three different times, five animals per period: 7, 14, and 28 days. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated by mechanical testing and histomorphometric analysis of the femurs. The results of analysis by the linear model of mixed effects showed 20 mg of simvastatin results in increased trabecular bone after 14 days (P = 0.039) of ingestion in ovariectomized animals. However, ingestion of 5 mg of simvastatin is able to sensitize the trabecular bone only at 28 days (P = 0.005) of ingestion. In the mechanical tests stiffness improves within 28 days (P = 0.003). Regarding maximum strength, no statistical differences were observed. According to these results, it can be concluded that for a decrease in oral intake, longer treatment times are required. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:684-690, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of swimming associated with risedronate in osteopenic bones: An experimental study with ovariectomized rats.

Physical activity and risedronate sodium have effects on metabolic bone diseases, maintaining the integrity of bone tissue. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of swimming associated with risedronate as a prophylactic means in osteopenic bone of ovariectomized rats. A total of 24 animals of the Wistar strain were used and separated into four groups containing six animals: Ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomy and swimming (OVXS), ovariectomy and risedronate (OVXM), ovariectomy, risedronate and swimming (OVXMS). The effectiveness of the treatments were evaluated using the tibia by means of biomechanical, radiographic, histomorphometric analyzes. Statistical analysis was performed by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). The OVXM and OVXMS groups showed higher values ​​compared to OVX in maximum strength and rigidity. Microscopic analysis showed increased trabecular bone in the OVXM group in relation to the others, and in the OVXMS compared to OVXS. Proximal densitometry in the OVXM and OVXMS groups showed higher values than the OVX and OVXS groups. There were no significant differences in overall densitometry. In conclusion, when comparing the prophylactic means, risedronate was able to preserve bone mass significantly, unlike exercise where an improvement of bone tissue was observed, although not significant, and when swimming and risedronate are combined the result was even better.

Biomechanical and microstructural benefits of physical exercise associated with risedronate in bones of ovariectomized rats.

Several treatments have been developed aiming the prevention of bone loss. There are discussions about the best prophylactic and therapeutic procedures for osteoporosis. This study evaluated the effects of physical exercise associated with risedronate as a prophylactic and therapeutic procedure in osteopenic bones of rats submitted to ovariectomy. We used 48 Wistar rats divided into: ovariectomized or subjected to sham surgery. Ovariectomized rats were divided into the following sub-groups: OVX, 12 weeks sedentary; OVX-EX, treadmill training for 12 weeks; OVX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration; and OVX-EX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration and treadmill training. Rats subjected to sham surgery were divided into the following sub-groups: SH, 12 weeks sedentary; SH-EX, treadmill training for 12 weeks; SH-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration; and SH-EX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration and training on the treadmill. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in tibias using biomechanical, radiological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Data were analyzed by statistical tests, with significance level of P < 0.05. Results of mechanical tests showed that the SH-RA group had lower values compared with OVX-RA group; densitometry showed no significant differences; according to histomorphometric methods, OVX group presented lower results than the SH-EX, OVX-RA, SH-EX-RA, and OVX-EX-RA groups, and SH-EX-RA and OVX-EX-RA groups showed values higher than SH-RA, SH, and OVX-EX groups. The SH-EX-RA and OVX-EX-RA groups had decreased immunostaining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and increased osteoprotegerin immunostaining. In this experimental model, it was concluded that the physical training associated with use of risedronate exerted positive effects on biomechanical and microstructural properties in bones of ovariectomized rats.