Alendronate improves bone matrix structure of ovariectomized rats

Wang Xiang; Guo Hai-ling; Zhao Yong-fang; Zhan Hong-sheng; Shi Yin-yu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.50.001

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Bisphosphonates that can increase bone density and inhibit bone resorption have been clinical y confirmed, but the structure of the bone matrix has been less studied. <br> OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of alendronate on bone structure and bone matrix metabolism, and then to investigate the control ing mechanism by which alendronate improves bone mass and increase bone intensity. <br> METHODS:An ovariectomized rat model was prepared and intervened with alendronate as treatment group. Model and sham-surgery groups were set as controls. Alendronate effects on bone mineral density, bone metabolism, bone biomechanics, and bone structure were observed in bone loss rats using bone imaging, bone tissue pathology and biomechanical test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Alendronate intervention could fight against bone loss as compared with model group at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of urinary deoxypyridinoline and serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procol agen was decreased significantly after alendronate intervention (P<0.05);the maximal load, maximal pressure and modelus on the lumbar vertebrae and femur were increased as wel as ratio of urinary pyridinoline/deoxypyridinoline of type Ⅰ procol agen (P<0.05). These findings suggest that alendronate intervention can inhibit bone loss in rats induced by estrogen deficiency, increase biomechanical properties, improve bone matrix structure, and meanwhile, recover the Ⅰ col agen crosslinking component due to ovariectomy.