title: Effect of 17beta-estradiol or alendronate on the bone densitometry, bone histomorphometry and bone metabolism of ovariectomized rats.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 17beta-estradiol or alendronate in preventing bone loss in 3-month-old ovariectomized Wistar rats. One group underwent sham ovariectomy (control, N = 10), and the remaining three underwent double ovariectomy. One ovariectomized group did not receive any treatment (OVX, N = 12). A second received subcutaneous 17beta-estradiol at a dose of 30 microg/kg for 6 weeks (OVX-E, N = 11) and a third, subcutaneous alendronate at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg for 6 weeks (OVX-A, N = 8). Histomorphometry, densitometry, osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline measurements were applied to all groups. After 6 weeks there was a significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) at the trabecular site (distal femur) in OVX rats. Both alendronate and 17beta-estradiol increased the BMD of ovariectomized rats, with the BMD of the OVX-A group being higher than that of the OVX-E group. Histomorphometry of the distal femur showed a decrease in trabecular volume in the untreated group (OVX), and an increase in the two treated groups, principally in the alendronate group. In OVX-A there was a greater increase in trabecular number. An increase in trabecular thickness, however, was seen only in the OVX-E group. There was also a decrease in bone turnover in both OVX-E and OVX-A. The osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline levels were decreased in both treated groups, mainly in OVX-A. Although both drugs were effective in inhibiting bone loss, alendronate proved to be more effective than estradiol at the doses used in increasing bone mass.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Reumatologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 01246-930 São Paulo SP, Brazil. vandajor@usp.br
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: da Paz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Falco
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jorgetti
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D003720:Densitometry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D019386:Alendronate