[Using a lipid clearing drug to prevent osteocytes damage of the femoral head in steroid-treated rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated experimentally the prevention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.


METHODS
Twenty-three rabbits were divided into three groups: (Group S) steroid treated, (Group T), steroid and clofibrate treated, and controls. Serological tests (cholesterol and triglyceride), histology and histochemical studies and electron microscopic examination were performed six weeks after treatment.


RESULTS
The serum cholesterol and TG levels increased obviously in Group S. Although Group T animals also showed hyperlipidemia, their serum cholesterol and TG levels were much lower than those for Group S. Group S animals demonstrated fatty degeneration of the liver. Lipid droplets were seen in the osteocytes of the femoral heads of these animals, which compressed the nucleus of the osteocytes along with nuclear pyknosis or absent nuclei. However, the construction of liver cells and osteocytes of the femoral head were almost normal in Group T. Lipid containing osteocytes were not seen in these animals.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations demonstrated that clofibrate decreased hyperlipidaemia, modified lipid metabolism, and diminished steroid-induced damage to the osteocytes. This finding may be a guide to protect against steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
Zhou
M
M
General Hospital of Air Force, Beijing.
Qing
J
J
Liu
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D002994:Clofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005270:Femur Head / Q000473:pathology; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000473:pathology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011817:Rabbits
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D002994:Clofibrate