The effectiveness of intermittent rat parathyroid hormone (1-34) treatment on low bone mass due to oestrogen or androgen depletion in skeletally mature rats.

Rat parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 (4 microg/kg/day) was applied for 2.5 months to 9 month-old rats immediately after ovariectomy or orchidectomy or to 15 month-old rats with low bone mass which had been castrated 6 months before in order to know the effects on serum biochemistry parameters, lumbar and femoral bone mineral density, histology, cancellous and cortical bone histomorphometry, mineralisation content profile in cortical bone by backscattered-electron microscopy, and femoral torsion biomechanical testing. In ovariectomised rats, preventive PTH treatment avoided cancellous bone loss in tibial metaphysis and partially in lumbar vertebra, while in cortical bone, PTH increased endosteal resorption and periosteal formation. In intervention study, PTH did not restore cancellous bone but a strong endosteal and periosteal new bone formation was detected. In orchidectomised rats, PTH, in preventive study, avoided cancellous bone loss in metaphysis and lumbar vertebra, and a mild new bone formation in cortical bone was found. In intervention study, PTH maintained baseline cancellous bone mass, but in cortical bone a strong endosteal and periosteal new bone formation was detected. The PTH-induced new bone formation was confirmed by histology and by mineral content profiles. After castration, biomechanical properties were affected in females but not in male rats and PTH reverted this effect.

Bone disease induced by phenytoin therapy: clinical and experimental study.

Previous studies have made references to prolonged treatment with phenytoin as a possible risk factor in the development of osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia. We studied a group of 30 epileptic patients who were under long-term treatment with phenytoin (DPH) in an ambulatory regimen. We found the prevalence of osteoporosis to be 3.3% and of osteopenia to be 56.6%, affecting predominantly the femur, without any significant decrease in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine. These patients were showing signs of bone turnover uncoupling with increases in bone resorption markers. At this time, they also exhibited slight alterations in their phosphocalcium metabolism with trends to hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism that was found not to be caused by a vitamin D deficiency as the serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D were normal. With the aims of corroborating these results and to investigate the physiopathological effects on the bone induced by anticonvulsant drugs we developed a further experimental study in which we administered DPH over a 6-week period with a dose of 5 g/kg/day to male Wistar rats that were in the growth phase. This treatment produced a decrease in overall BMD and bone mineral content in the femur. We did not find osteomalacia in the vertebral biopsy, but the administration of DPH to these animals decreased trabecular volume as well as lessened the thickness of osteoid edges together with an uncoupling in bone turnover. There was also a marked decrease in bone formation and a tendency towards increased bone resorption. We have also found a decrease in resistance to fracture by torsion in the biomechanical assay, which translates into an increase in bone fragility. In these male Wistar rats, the administration of DPH produced a tendency towards increasing the markers of resorption and, though changes in serum levels of calcium and phosphorus were not observed, to provoke an increase in the parathyroid hormone levels; with normal levels of 1,25(OH)(2)D which has produced the same inclination in rats as in humans.

Effect of risedronate on bone mass, remodelling and biomechanical strength in orchidectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: The ability of risedronate to prevent and/or treat orchidectomy-induced osteoporosis in male rats was studied. METHODS: Ninety-five 10-week-old male Wistar rats were sham-operated or orchidectomized. Prevention study: Sham: sham-operated rats; ORX: orchidectomized rats; ORX + RSD: orchidectomized rats, treated for 6 weeks with risedronate. Animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after surgery. Treatment study: Sham(1) and ORX(1): sham and orchidectomized rats sacrificed 3 months after orchidectomy; Sham(2), ORX(2) and ORX(2) + RSD: sham-operated, and orchidectomized rats treated with placebo or risedronate for 6 weeks starting 3 months after orchidectomy, and then sacrificed. Risedronate (0.5 mg/kg/day) and placebo (saline) were administered via oral gavage. After sacrifice, bone mineral density by DEXA, bone volume (BV/TV), osteocalcin (BGP), and serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CTX) were measured. Femur low-rate torsion testing was performed. RESULTS: Orchidectomy produced an increase in bone remodelling with loss of BV/TV, without effects on torsional strength. Risedronate treatment partially prevented these effects. In the treatment study, risedronate reduced bone remodelling and restored BV/TV to levels higher than those of the sham group, improving biomechanical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that risedronate could be used as a prevention or treatment of male osteoporosis due to hypogonadism.

[Use of adipose-derived stem cells in an experimental rotator cuff fracture animal model]. / Uso de células troncales derivadas de lipoaspirado en un modelo experimental animal de rotura de manguito rotador.

AIM: Rotator cuff repairs have shown a high level of re-ruptures. We hypothesized that the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) could improve the biomechanical and histological properties of the repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Controlled experimental study conducted on 44 BDIX rats with section and repair of the supraspinatus tendon and randomization to one of three groups: group A, no intervention (control); group B, local applications of a fibrin sealant; and group C, application of the fibrin sealant with 2 x 10(6) ASC. At 4 and 8 weeks a biomechanical and histological analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were no differences in load-to-failure at 4 and 8 weeks between groups. The load-to-failure did increase between week 4 and week 8. Histologically the tendon-to bone union showed a disorganized fibrovascular tissue. Group C showed a different inflammatory pattern, with less presence of neutrophils and more presence of plasma cells. CONCLUSION: The use of ASC does not improve the biomechanical or histological properties of the repair site. More studies are needed to improve techniques that enhance the healing site of the repair.

Effect of 25-OH-vitamin D on fracture healing in elderly rats.

To investigate the effect of 25-OH-vitamin D supplements (calcidiol) on fracture healing in the elderly, an experimental model with 15 18-month-old female Wistar rats was designed. An experimental fracture in the middle third of both femora of each rat was made. Then the rats were randomly assigned to two groups: one group was subcutaneously treated with 25-OH-vitamin D during all healing processes, and the other group (the control group) was not. After 5 weeks of healing, the animals were killed and both femora were extracted. Blood samples were collected before fracture and at death to determine the levels of 25-OH-vitamin D. All bones that were extracted were subjected to a torsion test to assess healing; a significantly greater maximum shear force before failure was supported in the treated group (p < 0.01). Moreover, a positive correlation (p < 0.01; r=0.55) was found between blood levels of 25-OH-vitamin D at death and the mechanical strength of the callus. Thus, the administration of 25-OH-vitamin D after the experimental fracture significantly improved the mechanical strength of the fractured bone. If similar results are found in the human, then treatment with 25-OH-vitamin D after the occurrence of a fracture would be a good way to improve fracture healing in the elderly.

Effect of vitamin C on fracture healing in elderly Osteogenic Disorder Shionogi rats.

We studied the effect of vitamin C on fracture healing in the elderly. A total of 80 elderly Osteogenic Disorder Shionogi rats were divided into four groups with different rates of vitamin C intake. A closed bilateral fracture was made in the middle third of the femur of each rat. Five weeks after fracture the femora were analysed by mechanical and histological testing. The groups with the lower vitamin C intake demonstrated a lower mechanical resistance of the healing callus and a lower histological grade. The vitamin C levels in blood during healing correlated with the torque resistance of the callus formed (r = 0.525). Therefore, the supplementary vitamin C improved the mechanical resistance of the fracture callus in elderly rats. If these results are similar in humans, vitamin C supplementation should be recommended during fracture healing in the elderly.

Uso de células troncales derivadas de lipoaspirado en un modelo experimental animal de rotura de manguito rotador / Use of adipose-derived stem cells in an experimental rotator cuff fracture animal model

Objetivo. La reparación del manguito rotador tiene una alta tasa de fracaso. Se investiga si la aplicación de células troncales derivadas de lipoaspirado mejorará la resistencia de la reparación y recreará la entesis original. Material y métodos. Estudio experimental en 44 ratas BDIX con sección y reparación con sutura del tendón supraespinoso y asignación aleatoria a uno de 3 grupos: grupo A, nada (control); grupo B, aplicación local de vehículo de fibrina; y grupo C, aplicación de 2 x 106 células troncales derivadas de lipoaspirado. Se realiza estudio mecánico en célula de carga y estudio histológico en hematoxilina-eosina. Resultados. En el estudio mecánico no hubo diferencias entre grupos. La carga hasta el fracaso aumentó de los grupos de 4-8 semanas. En el estudio histológico se observó la unión hueso-tendón mediante un tejido fibrovascular desorganizado. En el grupo C se observó un aumento de células plasmáticas a las 4 y 8 semanas. Conclusión. La utilización de células troncales derivadas de lipoaspirado no recrea la organización celular de la entesis ni mejoran las propiedades biomecánicas de la misma. Son necesarios más estudios para investigar técnicas que mejoren la cicatrización del tendón (AU)

Aim. Rotator cuff repairs have shown a high level of re-ruptures. We hypothesized that the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) could improve the biomechanical and histological properties of the repair. Material and methods. Controlled experimental study conducted on 44 BDIX rats with section and repair of the supraspinatus tendon and randomization to one of three groups: group A, no intervention (control); group B, local applications of a fibrin sealant; and group C, application of the fibrin sealant with 2 x 106 ASC. At 4 and 8 weeks a biomechanical and histological analysis was performed. Results. There were no differences in load-to-failure at 4 and 8 weeks between groups. The load-to-failure did increase between week 4 and week 8. Histologically the tendon-to bone union showed a disorganized fibrovascular tissue. Group C showed a different inflammatory pattern, with less presence of neutrophils and more presence of plasma cells. Conclusion. The use of ASC does not improve the biomechanical or histological properties of the repair site. More studies are needed to improve techniques that enhance the healing site of the repair (AU)

Speed of sound, bone mineral density and bone strength in oophorectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of bone mineral density (BMD), ultrasounds (SOS) and resistance to torsion (T) to detect experimental osteopenia induced in rats 3 and 6 months after ooforectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four rats were used, divided into four groups, ooforectomized rats analysed 3 and 6 months after the operation and their respective control groups, in which BMD (Hologic QDR 1000 S/N 277), SOS (DBM Sonic 1200) and T (adapted test machine) were determined in the right femur. RESULTS: The results of the three techniques distinguished the ooforectomized groups from the controls, both 3 and 6 months after the ooforectomy, obtaining more significant differences with BMD (P = 0.0006, P = 0. 001, respectively) than SOS and T, where a significance of only P = 0.05 was obtained. In the correlation study among the three techniques, a significant correlation was observed between BMD and SOS (r = 0.39, P = 0.0008), as well as between BMD and T (r = 0.31, P = 0.03). However, significance was not observed between the SOS and T tests. CONCLUSION: In the study of sensitivity and specificity of the techniques used to detect the osteopenia caused by the ooforectomy, by means of calculation of the area under the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve, it was proven that although the three techniques distinguished between the two analysed populations, BMD presented an area under the ROC curve that was superior (0.87, 0.85) to that obtained with SOS (0.73, 0.67) and T (0.73, 0.68), both 3 and 6 months after the operation.