Effects of 1 a(OH)-vitamin D3 and 24,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 on long bones of glucocorticoid-treated rats

J. Turnquist, A. Ornoy, D. Eini, Z. Schwartz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Glucocorticoids may induce osteopenia in experimental animals and in man. In order to study the possible effects of vitamin D metabolites in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteopenia in rats, we administered lα(OH)-vitamin D3 24,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 or a combination of both metabolites, by intragastric intubation, to rats treated daily by intramuscular injections of 10 mg/kg cortisone acetate. Treatment with the vitamin D metabolites started after 1 month of glucocorticoid therapy, at the time osteopenia was already present. Cortisone acetate decreased the gain weight, increased alkaline phosphatase (AP) and decreased Ca serum levels. It also decreased tibial wet and ash weight and tibial Ca content. Computerized histomorphometry of sections from the upper tibia showed decreased epiphyseal bone volume and increased bone marrow volume; decreased height of hypertrophic cartilage in the growth plate and decreased amount of persisting cartilage in the metaphyseal bone trabeculae were also observed. Administration of 24,25(OH)2D3 alone did not reduce these glucocorticoid-induced bone changes and sometimes even worsened them. lα(OH)D3 reversed many of the deleterious effects of cortisone acetate. It reduccd serum AP levels, increased serum Ca levels, increased bone ash weight, epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone volume, with a concomitant reduction in epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone marrow volume. The best results were obtained by a combi-nation of lα(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3. It is presumed that both metabolites are needed to reduce the impact of glucocorticoids on bone. 1α(OH)2D3 acts on the gut. increasing Ca absorption (which was decreased by glucocorticoids), and 24,25(OH)2D3, directly acts on bone to enhance bone formation and mineralization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-67
Number of pages7
JournalCells Tissues Organs
Volume145
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 1 α(OH)-Vitaniin D
  • 24,25(OH) Vitamin D
  • Bone modelling, in vivo
  • Glucocorticoid

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