DT56a (Femarelle) stimulates bone formation in female rats.
OBJECTIVE
DT56a is a natural compound for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of long term treatment (two months) with DT56a on the skeletal tissues of intact and ovariectomised (OVX) adult rats.


METHODS
Thirty rats were divided into two groups, in one of which the rats were ovariectomised. The rats in each group were then treated for two months with DT56a, oestrogen or vehicle.


METHODS
University and hospital laboratories.


METHODS
Thirty rats.


METHODS
Histomorphometric measurements of trabecular bone volume (expressed as a percentage of total bone volume), trabecular and cortical thickness and growth plate width were recorded by a computerised system. In addition, creatine kinase (CK)-specific activity, as marker of oestrogen receptor activation, was measured in skeletal tissues and in the uterus.


METHODS
The changes in the histomorphometric measurements.


RESULTS
OVX rats developed noticeable signs of osteoporosis, namely, significant decrease in trabecular bone volume and in trabecular and cortical thickness. DT56a, like oestrogen, restored the bone structure measurements of all tested parameters in the OVX rats to the values obtained in the intact rats. In skeletal tissues, CK activity was elevated in both treatment groups. However, in the uterus DT56a did not activate oestrogen receptors while oestrogen did elevate CK activity.


CONCLUSIONS
DT56a was as effective as oestrogen in reversing the bone changes caused by OVX in rats.
Somjen
Dalia
D
Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Katzburg
Sara
S
Livne
Erella
E
Yoles
Israel
I
D000818:Animals; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005260:Female; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
C478341:DT56a; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D015232:Dinoprostone