title: Salmon calcitonin reduces vertebral bone loss in glucocorticoid-treated beagles.
abstract: Glucocorticoids induce bone loss by increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone formation. In this study we have investigated the potential of salmon calcitonin to attenuate glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in a dog model. Male beagles were divided into three groups: 1) untreated controls, 2) prednisone-treated dogs (1 mg.kg-1.day-1 orally), and 3) prednisone-calcitonin-treated dogs (1.5 U.kg-1.day-1 calcitonin subcutaneously and 1 mg.kg-1.day-1 prednisone orally). Assessment of bone mass by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry demonstrated that bone density remained stable in controls throughout 48 wk. Prednisone-treated dogs lost 13.2% of their initial bone mass by 48 wk. Concomitant calcitonin treatment attenuated prednisone-induced bone loss to only 3.2% at 48 wk. Bone histomorphometry of the spine showed reduced trabecular bone volume in prednisone-treated dogs, whereas control and prednisone-calcitonin-treated animals maintained normal trabecular bone volume. Both prednisone- and prednisone-calcitonin-treated dogs acquired a defect in osteoblastic function as evidenced by a reduction in mean wall thickness and trabecular thickness. Thus calcitonin attenuates the early bone loss induced by glucocorticoids. However, calcitonin failed to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoblast dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham 27705.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lyles
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nesbitt
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Quarles
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012474:Salmon; D013131:Spine / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin; D011241:Prednisone