Prostaglandin E2 prevents ovariectomy-induced cancellous bone loss in rats

Bone Geometry, Density, Microstructure, and Biomechanical Properties in the Distal Tibia in Patients With Primary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy Assessed by Second-Generation High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography

Periosteosis refers to pathological woven bone formation beneath the cortical bone of the long bones. It is an imaging hallmark of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) and also considered as one of the major diagnostic criteria of PHO patients. Up to date, detailed information on bone quality changes in long bones of PHO patients is still missing. This study aimed to evaluate bone microarchitecture and bone strength in PHO patients by using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). The study comprised 20 male PHO patients with the average age of 27.0 years and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was assessed at the lumbar spine (L₁ -L₄ ) and hip (total hip and femoral neck) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and microstructure parameters at the distal tibia were evaluated by using HR-pQCT. Bone strength was evaluated by finite element analysis (FEA) based on HR-pQCT screening at distal tibia. Urinary prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂ ), serum phosphatase (ALP), beta-C-telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTX), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and neuronal calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were investigated. As compared with healthy controls, PHO patients had larger bone cross-sectional areas; lower total, trabecular, and cortical vBMD; compromised bone microstructures with more porous cortices, thinned trabeculae, reduced trabecular connectivity, and relatively more significant resorption of rod-like trabeculae at distal tibia. The apparent Young's modulus was significantly lower in PHO patients. The concentration of PGE₂ , biomarkers of bone resorption (β-CTX and sRANKL/OPG ratio), and the neuropeptide CGRP were higher in PHO patients versus healthy controls. PGE₂ level correlated negatively with vBMD and estimated bone strength and positively with bone geometry at distal tibia. The present HR-pQCT study is the first one illustrating the microarchitecture and bone strength features in long bones. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

In Vivo Bone Effects of a Novel Bisphosphonate-EP4a Conjugate Drug (C3) for Reversing Osteoporotic Bone Loss in an Ovariectomized Rat Model

Pathological bone loss is a regular feature of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and the microstructural changes along with the bone loss make the individual prone to getting hip, spine, and wrist fractures. We have developed a new conjugate drug named C3, which has a synthetic, stable EP4 agonist (EP4a) covalently linked to an inactive alendronate (ALN) that binds to bone and allows physiological remodeling. After losing bone for 12 weeks, seven groups of rats were treated for 8 weeks via tail‐vein injection. The groups were: C3 conjugate at low and high doses, vehicle‐treated ovariectomy (OVX) and sham, C1 (a similar conjugate, but with active ALN at high dose), inactive ALN alone, and a mixture of unconjugated ALN and EP4a to evaluate the conjugation effects. Bone turnover was determined by dynamic and static histomorphometry; μCT was employed to determine bone microarchitecture; and bone mechanical properties were evaluated via biomechanical testing. Treatment with C3 significantly increased trabecular bone volume and vertebral BMD versus OVX controls. There was also significant improvement in the vertebral load‐bearing abilities and stimulation of bone formation in femurs after C3 treatment. This preclinical research revealed that C3 resulted in significant anabolic effects on trabecular bone, and EP4a and ALN conjugation components are vital to conjugate anabolic efficacy. A combined therapy using an EP4 selective agonist anabolic agent linked to an inactive ALN is presented here that produces significant anabolic effects, allows bone remodeling, and has the potential for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis or other diseases where bone strengthening would be beneficial. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

In vivo effects of two novel ALN-EP4a conjugate drugs on bone in the ovariectomized rat model for reversing postmenopausal bone loss

Two alendronate-EP4 agonist (ALN-EP4a) conjugate drugs, C1 and C2, which differ in structure by a short linker molecule, were evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats for their anabolic effects. We showed that C1 led to significant anabolic effects on cortical and trabecular bone while anabolic effects associated with C2 were minimal.

INTRODUCTION

EP4as were covalently linked to ALN to create ALN-EP4a conjugate anabolic bone drugs, C1 and C2, which differ in structure by a short linker molecule in C1. When administered systemically, C1 and C2 are delivered to bone through targeted binding of ALN, where local hydrolytic enzymes liberate EP4a from ALN to exert anabolic effects. Here, we compare effects of C1 to C2 in a curative in vivo study.

METHODS

Three-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats were OVX or sham operated and allowed to lose bone for 3 months. Animals were then treated via tail vein injections for 3 months and sacrificed. Treatment groups were as follows: C1L (5 mg/kg biweekly), C1H (5 mg/kg weekly), C2L (15 mg/kg monthly), C2H (15 mg/kg biweekly), OVX and sham control (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) biweekly), and ALN/EP4a-unconjugated mixture (0.75 mg/kg each biweekly).

RESULTS

MicroCT analysis showed that C1H treatment significantly increased vertebral bone mineral density (vBMD) and trabecular bone volume versus OVX controls while C2 treatments did not. Biomechanical testing showed that C1H treatment but not C2 treatments led to significant improvement in the load bearing abilities of the vertebrae compared to OVX controls. C1 stimulated endocortical bone formation and increased load bearing in femurs, while C2 did not.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that C1 led to significant anabolic effects on cortical and trabecular bone while anabolic effects associated with C2 were minimal. These results led us to hypothesize a mode of action by which presence of a linker is crucial in facilitating the anabolic effects of EP4a when dosed as a prodrug with ALN.

Novel EP4 receptor agonist-bisphosphonate conjugate drug (C1) promotes bone formation and improves vertebral mechanical properties in the ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal bone loss

Current treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis aim to either promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption. The C1 conjugate drug represents a new treatment approach by chemically linking the antiresorptive compound alendronate (ALN) with the anabolic agent prostanoid EP4 receptor agonist (EP4a) through a linker molecule (LK) to form a conjugate compound. This enables the bone-targeting ability of ALN to deliver EP4a to bone sites and mitigate the systemic side effects of EP4a, while also facilitating dual antiresorptive and anabolic effects. In vivo hydrolysis is required to release the EP4a and ALN components for pharmacological activity. Our study investigated the in vivo efficacy of this drug in treating established bone loss using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteopenia. In a curative experiment, 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were OVX, allowed to lose bone for 7 weeks, then treated for 6 weeks. Treatment groups consisted of C1 conjugate at low and high doses, vehicle-treated OVX and sham, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), and mixture of unconjugated ALN-LK and EP4a to assess the effect of conjugation. Results showed that weekly administration of C1 conjugate dose-dependently increased bone volume in trabecular bone, which partially or completely reversed OVX-induced bone loss in the lumbar vertebra and improved vertebral mechanical strength. The conjugate also dose-dependently stimulated endocortical woven bone formation and intracortical resorption in cortical bone, with high-dose treatment increasing the mechanical strength but compromising the material properties. Conjugation between the EP4a and ALN-LK components was crucial to the drug's anabolic efficacy. To our knowledge, the C1 conjugate represents the first time that a combined therapy using an anabolic agent and the antiresorptive compound ALN has shown significant anabolic effects which reversed established osteopenia.

Alfacalcidol-stimulated focal bone formation on the cancellous surface and increased bone formation on the periosteal surface of the lumbar vertebrae of adult female rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the skeletal effects of alfacalcidol alone or in combination with exercise in intact adult female rats.

METHODS

Seventy-four 8.5-month-old rats were orally administered 0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1 microg/kg of alfacalcidol for 12 weeks, alone or in combination with exercise. Cancellous bone histomorphometric measurements were performed on the second lumbar vertebra.

RESULTS

At 0.05 and 0.1 microg/kg, alfacalcidol caused a significant increase in cancellous bone volume, accompanied by an increase in trabecular architecture. Percent eroded surface, bone resorption and formation were suppressed by alfacalcidol treatment. However, mineral apposition rate was significantly increased, indicating osteoblast activity was increased. A positive balance between bone formation and resorption was observed in the rats treated with the highest dose of alfacalcidol. Alfacalcidol induced a unique bone formation site ("bouton") on the cancellous surface. These boutons connected adjacent trabeculae and increased trabecular thickness. They exhibited both smooth and scalloped cement lines, suggesting that they were formed by minimodeling- and remodeling-based bone formation. Furthermore, alfacalcidol at 0.1 microg/kg increased periosteal bone formation of the lumbar transverse processes. Bipedal stance exercise alone did not have an effect on bone balance and bone turnover. There were no interactions between alfacalcidol and bipedal stance exercise except for a decrease in bone resorption.

CONCLUSION

Alfacalcidol exhibited both anti-catabolic and anabolic effects on bone in intact female rats. The effect of combined treatment with alfacalcidol and bipedal stance exercise was no better than that of alfacalcidol alone.

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor and a prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype 4 agonist on osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in aged ovariectomized rats

bFGF stimulates osteo- and adipogenesis concurrently at skeletal sites with red but not with fatty marrow, whereas a PGE2 receptor subtype 4 agonist has bone anabolic effects at both skeletal sites and decreases adipose tissue within red and fatty marrow.

INTRODUCTION

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates osteogenesis at skeletal sites with hematopoietic but not with fatty marrow. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor subtype 4 agonist (EP4A) stimulates osteogenesis at the former skeletal sites, but its effects at fatty marrow sites are unknown. In addition, both bFGF and PGE2 through the EP4 receptor have also been implicated in adipogenesis. However, their specific effects on bone marrow adipogenesis and the inter-relationship with osteogenesis have never been studied in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated and maintained for 1 yr after surgery. OVX rats were then injected daily with bFGF or with EP4A SC for 3 wk. The osteo- and adipogenic effects of these agents were assessed by histomorphometry and by determining changes in expression of genes associated with these events by real-time PCR in the lumbar and caudal vertebrae, bones with a predominance of hematopoietic and fatty marrow, respectively. Expression of FGFR1-4 and the EP4 receptor were also evaluated by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

bFGF and EP4A stimulated bone formation at skeletal sites with hematopoietic marrow, but only the later anabolic agent is also effective at fatty marrow sites. The diminished bone anabolic effect of bFGF at the fatty marrow site was not caused by a lack of cell surface receptors for the growth factor at this site. Interestingly, whereas EP4A decreased fatty marrow area and the number of adipocytes, bFGF increased osteogenesis and adipogenesis within the bone marrow.

CONCLUSIONS

bFGF can stimulate osteogenesis and bone marrow adipogenesis concurrently at red marrow sites, but not at fatty marrow sites. In contrast, EP4A stimulates bone formation at skeletal sites with hematopoietic and fatty marrow and simultaneously decreased fatty marrow area and the number of adipocytes in the bone marrow, suggesting that osteogenesis occurs at the expense of adipogenesis.

Short-term prevention of osteoclastic resorption and osteopenia in ovariectomized rats treated with the H(2) receptor antagonist cimetidine

Ovariectomy rapidly induces strong osteoclast differentiation, leading to a marked loss of cancellous bone in the rat appendicular skeleton. As we found that histamine inhibition prevented periosteal bone resorption in rats, we tested the hypothesis that cimetidine, an H(2) receptor antagonist, prevents the osteoclastic burst and subsequent trabecular bone loss in this setting. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (ovx) or sham-operated. Rats from each group received daily intramuscular injections of cimetidine (125 mg/kg per day) or vehicle. The animals were killed 14 days after surgery, and their femora were processed for morphometry. Cimetidine had no effect on serum estradiol levels in the control and ovx rats. BV/TV was reduced by 36% in the ovx rats, and by 10% in the cimetidine treated rats (p < 0.01). Tb.N and Tb.Wi were significantly reduced by 30% in the ovx rats and by 15% ovx-treated ones. OcS/BS did not change in the treated ovx rats, but increased 3.7-fold in the untreated ovx ones (p < 0.001). The N.Oc/TBPm increased markedly in the ovx rats (2.6-fold, p < 0.0001 vs. controls), but only slightly in the cimetidine-treated animals (+18%, p < 0.05 vs. controls), with a significant difference between the cimetidine-treated and -untreated ovx animals (p < 0.001). Cimetidine had no effect on these parameters in sham-operated animals. These results show that histamine inhibition by an H(2) receptor antagonist partially prevents the consequences of castration on cancellous bone, possibly by an action on osteoclast differentiation. Interestingly, cimetidine had no effect on basal resorption along trabecular bone. Histamine inhibition by H(2) blockers warrants further investigation in this model of osteopenia.

Immunosuppression with FK506 increases bone induction in demineralized isogeneic and xenogeneic bone matrix in the rat

The aim of the present study was to investigate a systemic induction of bone formation in rats by immunosuppression with FK506 (1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally [ip]) in a model of osteoinduction of isogeneic and xenogeneic demineralized bone matrix (DBM) for a period of 28 days. In particular, alterations of in vitro cytokine synthesis and changes of lymphocyte subsets were studied. DBM was implanted intramuscularly in the abdominal wall of Lewis rats (seven per group). Blood was sampled on days -7, 0, 7, and 28 for determination of in vitro tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha) synthesis and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD45+, ED9+, and Ia+ antibodies). Ossicles of de novo formed bone and the tibias were removed on day 28 after double tetracycline labeling for histomorphometric analysis. Immunosuppression with FK506 significantly decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated in vitro cytokine synthesis after 7 days and 28 days (p < 0.05). Compared with control animals FK506 treatment significantly increased the volume of induced bone in isogeneic (2.1 +/- 0.3 mm3 vs. 10.8 +/- 0.9 mm3) and xenogeneic (O mm3 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.8 mm3) DBM. Bone histomorphometry of the tibias revealed that immunosuppression increased both bone formation and bone resorption, accompanied by a significant reduction in the relative trabecular area (Tb.Ar). FK506 caused a decrease in the counts of CD8+ T cells probably because of destruction or dislocation of these cells. This suggests that the amount of CD8+ cells and the degree of T cell activation in terms of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) may be associated with bone metabolism. In support of this, statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between parameters of bone formation as well as bone resorption and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. There was a significant negative correlation between parameters of remodeling of the metaphysis of the tibia and induced bone volume (BV), respectively, and MFI values of CD3+/Ia+ cells. These findings suggest an important role of T lymphocytes in bone formation and bone resorption in vivo. FK506 caused a marked increase of bone formation in DBM. However, the conclusion that immunosuppression increases fracture healing warrants further investigation.

Anabolic effect of prostaglandin E2 on cortical bone of aged male rats comes mainly from modeling-dependent bone gain

In this study, prostaglandin E2 (3 mg/kg per day) was administered to 20-month-old male Wistar rats for 10 and 30 days. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on double-fluorescent-labeled undecalcified tibial shaft sections. Thirty days of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) administration increased bone formation rate/total bone surface from undetectable levels to 0.6 microm/day at the periosteal surface and from 0.5 to 2.1 microm/day at the endocortical surface. Endocortical osteoid surface area increased from 2% to 67% at day 10 and decreased to 6% at day 30; woven and lamellar bone formation started at day 0, but was most obvious at day 30, resulting in a 12% increase of total bone mass. The red to yellow marrow ratio was 0.2 in pretreatment controls, and increased to 1.6 by day 10 and 2.4 by day 30 with PGE2 administration. Intracortical cavity number and area increased after 10 days of PGE2 treatment, but with forming osteon number and area far exceeding those of resorption cavities at day 30. Endocortical modeling surface/endocortical surface was only 1.5%, and remodeling was 11.1% in pretreatment controls. PGE2 treatment increased modeling to 24.5% in the 10 day group and 93.7% in the 30 day group, whereas remodeling remained unchanged at 10 days, and decreased to 6.2% at 30 days. Osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts could not be detected in pretreatment controls, but increased by day 10, and returned almost to control levels by 30 days. Our data indicate that PGE2 induced periosteal and endocortical bone formation mainly by modeling-dependent bone gain, accompanied by increases in intracortical remodeling and red bone marrow, and a transient increase in the osteoprogenitor cells adjacent to the endocortical surface. These findings suggest that 20-month-old male Wistar rats were very responsive to the anabolic action of PGE2 in the tibial shaft, a site consisting mainly of cortical bone and yellow marrow.

Bone anabolic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor in ovariectomized rats

The purpose of this study was to characterize the bone anabolic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to ovariectomy or sham surgery at 3 months of age and maintained untreated for 2 months post surgery. Groups of OVX rats were then treated iv with bFGF at doses of 100 or 200 microg/kg day for 7 or 14 days. Another group of OVX rats and a group of sham-operated control rats were treated iv with vehicle alone for 14 days. Certain groups of bFGF-treated OVX rats were killed at 7 or 14 days after withdrawal of treatment. The right tibiae were processed undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometry. Vehicle-treated OVX rats were characterized by decreased cancellous bone volume associated with increased bone turnover. Treatment of OVX rats with bFGF strongly stimulated bone formation, as indicated by marked increases of at least a factor of 10 in osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, and osteoid volume. Furthermore, new osteoid spicules were observed within the marrow cavity of these animals. Osteoclast surface was markedly decreased in bFGF-treated OVX rats, but this finding may be secondary to the extensive osteoid surface. The strongest bone anabolic effects occurred in OVX rats treated with the higher dose of bFGF for 14 days, but these animals exhibited a bone mineralization defect, as evidenced by abundant osteoid and a lack of double fluorochrome labeling, despite markedly increased osteoblast surface. However, the newly-formed osteoid rapidly calcified after withdrawal of bFGF treatment. The data indicate that bFGF not only stimulates bone formation on pre-existing bone surfaces but also induces de novo formation of bone spicules within the marrow cavity, which results in partial restoration of lost cancellous bone mass in osteopenic OVX rats after only 14 days of treatment with the growth factor. These findings suggest that bFGF merits consideration for development as a potential treatment for patients with severe osteopenia who are unresponsive to conventional osteoporosis therapies.

Effect of prostaglandin and bisphosphonate on cancellous bone volume and structure in the ovariectomized rat studied by quantitative three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy (NMRM) in conjunction with a processing technique to monitor the effect of preventive agents in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat. Twenty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were OVX at 6 months of age (except for the intact control group), allowed to lose bone for 60 days, and then treated for 60 days. During treatment, animals were administered vehicle, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 6 mg/kg), or alendronate (3 microg/kg) subcutaneously once a day. Subsequently, tibiae were harvested and the marrow removed. NMRM was carried out at 9.4 T, with the specimens immersed in 1.2 mM diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-gadolinium salt (Gd-DTPA) aqueous solution. A three-dimensional (3D) partial flip-angle pulse sequence was used, providing a 1283 array of (46 microm)3 isotropic voxels. Fifty of the 128 axial images in the 3D data set comprising approximately 2.4 mm volume distal to the growth plate were processed from each specimen using a probability-based method for determining bone volume fraction (BVF), tubularity, contiguity, as well as the mean trabecular plate thickness and separation. PGE2 and alendronate altered BVF consistently at all tibial regions. The effect of alendronate was to keep BVF about midway between intact and OVX, whereas PGE2 returned BVF to intact levels. The other parameters showed similar responses to treatment. The strongest discriminator was trabecular BVF, which could obviously differentiate the groups. The study establishes NMRM as a nondestructive histomorphometric method for the quantitative evaluation of drug response in a rat ovariectomy model.

Prostaglandin E2 increases bone strength in intact rats and in ovariectomized rats with established osteopenia

It is well documented that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has the ability to stimulate bone formation, improve bone structure, and increase bone mass in intact or osteopenic rat models. However, the effects of PGE2 on the mechanical properties of bone have not been investigated previously. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of PGE2 on the mechanical strength of bones in rapidly growing, adult, and ovariectomized rat models. In study I, PGE2 at 3 mg/kg per day, or vehicle, was given by daily subcutaneous injections for 30 days to rapidly growing (3-month-old) intact male rats. Compared with controls, PGE2 significantly increased initial maximal load and stiffness of cancellous bone at the distal femoral metaphysis (DFM) as determined by an indentation test. As determined by a compression test, rats treated with PGE2 showed a significant increase in maximal load, and a nonsignificant increase in stiffness in the fifth lumbar vertebral body (L5) when compared with controls. In study II, PGE2 at 3 mg/kg per day, or vehicle, was given by daily subcutaneous injection for 30 days to mature (10-month-old) intact male rats. PGE2 treatment significantly increased initial maximal load and stiffness of the DFM and L5. PGE2 induced a significant increase in maximal load, but not stiffness, in the femoral neck (FN), as determined by a cantilever compression test. There was an increase in maximal load in a three-point bending test at the femoral shaft (FS) although the increase did not achieve statistical significance. No change in stiffness in the FS was found after PGE2 treatment. In study III, 3-month-old female rats were sham-operated or ovariectomized (ovx) for 30 days. Thereafter, PGE, at 1 or 3 mg/kg, or vehicle, were given by daily subcutaneous injection to these rats for 30 days. After 30 and 60 days, ovx induced a significant decrease in initial maximal load and stiffness of cancellous bone at the DFM as compared with sham controls. In ovx rats with established osteopenia, PGE2 at 1 mg/kg per day nonsignificantly increased the initial maximal load and stiffness, whereas, at 3 mg/kg per day, PGE2 completely restored the initial maximal load and stiffness of DFM to sham control levels. Similarly, maximal load and stiffness of L5 decreased significantly in ovx rats compared with sham controls at 30 days postsurgery. PGE2 at 1 mg/kg per day partially restored the maximal load, whereas, at 3 mg/kg per day, it completely restored the maximal load and stiffness of L5 in the established osteopenia, ovx rats. At the FS, PGE2 at 3 mg/kg per day nonsignificantly increased maximal load (+11%) and significantly increased stiffness (+25%) compared with ovx controls. Neither ovx nor PGE2 treatment caused a significant change in the maximal load and stiffness of the FN in this study. These results reveal that PGE2 significantly increased the mechanical strength at various skeletal sites in rapidly growing and mature male rats, although the increase in femoral shafts was not statistically different. Furthermore, PGE2 completely restored mechanical strength to the cancellous bone in ovx rats with established osteopenia.

Evidence that ibuprofen antagonizes selective actions of estrogen and tamoxifen on rat bone

Studies were performed to determine if the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen alters bone and mineral metabolism in female rats. In experiment 1, four groups of growing rats underwent either sham operation or ovariectomy (OVX). One week later, controlled-release pellets with ibuprofen or placebo were implanted subcutaneously at the back of the neck. Following 3 weeks of treatment, rats were sacrificed and blood and bone samples were removed for serum assays and histomorphometric analysis. Body growth rate and the static cortical bone measurements made at the tibial diaphysis did not change in response to OVX. OVX, however, did increase radial bone growth, lowered serum 17beta-estradiol, reduced uterine weight, and decreased the cancellous bone area of the tibial metaphysis in the rats. Ibuprofen did not alter serum 17beta-estradiol or uterine weight but reduced radial bone growth as well as cancellous bone area of the tibial metaphysis in both sham-operated and OVX animals. In experiments 2 and 3, we tested the influence of ibuprofen on the effects of the tissue-selective estrogen agonist tamoxifen and of exogenous 17beta-estradiol in the OVX rat. Ibuprofen completely blocked the effects of tamoxifen and partially blocked the effects of 17beta-estradiol to prevent cancellous osteopenia. In contrast, ibuprofen did not influence the effects of tamoxifen and 17beta-estradiol to reduce radial bone growth. Besides the skeletal effects, ibuprofen suppressed estrogen-induced uterine growth. Our data suggest that ibuprofen blocks selective estrogen receptor-mediated activities in the rat.

Short-term immobilization-induced cancellous bone loss is limited to regions undergoing high turnover and/or modeling in mature rats

Estrogen and calcium deficiencies increase both bone resorption and formation, whereas immobilization mainly decreases bone formation. How these functionally different risk factors for bone loss interact in cancellous bone undergoing modeling or remodeling activity is not well understood. Mature (6-month-old) female rats were subjected to sham operation (sham), ovariectomy (ovx), dietary calcium deficiency (LoCa, 0.1% Ca), and sciatic and femoral denervation (IM), ovx+IM, or LoCa+IM for 4 weeks. The primary spongiosa, the region of active modeling within 1 mm of the growth plate, in ovx, LoCa, and IM groups showed a decrease in cancellous bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity when compared to sham controls. Groups combining two risk factors exhibited additive changes when compared with single risk factor groups. In the secondary spongiosa, an area with little modeling activity, ovx and LoCa groups, as expected, lost bone. In contrast with the primary spongiosa, IM alone did not induce bone loss in the secondary spongiosa, and the groups with a combination of IM and ovx or IM and LoCa showed a greater bone loss than either ovx or LoCa alone. Ovx and LoCa groups showed increases in both bone formation rate and eroded surface in the secondary spongiosa, while IM groups showed a decrease in bone formation rate. Combining IM with either ovx or LoCa resulted in increased eroded surface. The effects on cortical bone were assessed at the tibio-fibular junction. A trend toward decreased percentage of cortical bone area and an increase in marrow cavity area were observed in the combined deficiency groups only. These changes were the result of a statistically significant increase in endosteal eroded surface in IM+ovx and IM+LoCa groups. Our results demonstrate that immobilization-induced bone loss is restricted to the primary spongiosa where most modeling events occur. However, the inhibitory effect of IM on bone formation in the secondary spongiosa is unmasked in remodeling sites when a high turnover state is provided by either estrogen or dietary calcium deficiency. These results suggest that the presence of a risk factor, such as immobilization, which in the short-term causes inhibition of bone formation, does not predispose the skeleton to rapid cancellous bone loss except when accompanied by modeling or high turnover.

Evaluation of signal transduction mechanisms for the mitogenic effects of prostaglandin E2 in normal human bone cells in vitro

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is one of the most potent stimulators of bone formation in vivo. In these studies, we investigated the mechanism(s) underlying PGE2 effects on human bone formation by evaluating the effects of PGE2 on normal human bone cell (HBC) proliferation in vitro. Cell proliferation of normal HBCs was increased by PGE2 as measured by increased [3H]thymidine incorporation after 18 h and increased cell number after 48 h of treatment. The effect of PGE2 to stimulate cell proliferation was biphasic, with a maximum stimulation between 0.01 and 1.0 nM PGE2 in different experiments. At higher concentrations of PGE2 (0.1 microM), HBC proliferation was inhibited. Signal transduction for PGE2 has been reported to include both protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways. In these studies, concentrations of PGE2 which stimulated cell proliferation did not increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. However, higher concentrations of PGE2 increased cAMP production (7- to 12-fold at 1-10 microM) and inhibited cell proliferation. Because stimulators of PKC, such as phorbol esters, have been reported to stimulate cell proliferation, the action of PKC inhibitors were tested. Both staurosporine and sangivamysin (PKC inhibitors) totally abrogated the effect of PGE2 to stimulate cell proliferation. Additional studies revealed that PGE2 increased 45Ca uptake in a dose-dependent manner with a peak response occurring between 1 and 10 nM PGE2 concentrations in different experiments. Furthermore, when the calcium channel blocker, verapamil, was added to HBC cultures treated with PGE2, the stimulation of 45Ca uptake and cell proliferation by PGE2 was completely blocked. These data suggest that PGE2 increases cell proliferation through activation of a verapamil-sensitive calcium channel. In conclusion, these data are consistent with a model in which stimulation of HBC proliferation by low doses of PGE2 is mediated by an enhancement of phospholipase C, which results in both an increase in PKC activity and an increase in intracellular calcium influx.

Histo-anatomy of the proximal femur in rats: impact of ovariectomy on bone mass, structure, and stiffness

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures are the most devastating consequence of osteoporosis in humans. Since the ovariectomized (ovx) rat is a useful model of estrogen-deficient osteoporosis, the purposes of this study were to describe the histo-anatomical features of the rat hip and to determine changes in the proximal femur induced by ovariectomy to evaluate the use of this skeletal site for future bone studies.

METHODS

Changes in body mass and composition and in bone mineral content and density were determined by DEXA at 12 weeks after ovariectomy. Gross and histo-anatomy of the rat hip was studied by light microscopy and histomorphometry. Cancellous and cortical bone changes induced by ovx at the femoral midneck were determine using dynamic, static, and structural histomorphometric techniques. The stiffness of the femoral neck was determined by biomechanical testing, and the results were correlated with histological observations and the histomorphometric data.

RESULTS

The bony structures of the rat hip, articular cartilage, and muscular and capsular attachments are very similar to the human. Rats, however, have an active growth plate and a well-vascularized periosteum covering the intracapsular portion of the femoral neck, which is different from the adult humans. Rats in the sham and ovx groups exhibited similar biological variations in the thickness of the femoral neck and epiphyseal bone and cartilaginous composition. Ovariectomy promoted periosteal modeling and induced endocortical and cancellous bone remodeling, with a net loss of bone mass due to excess bone resorption. The ovx-induced increase in resorption resulted in reduced trabecular number, thickness, and endocortico-trabecular connectivity, which likely contributed to less bone stiffness in ovx rats relative to the sham controls.

CONCLUSIONS

There are numerous similarities in the structure and histology of the rodent and human hip. Skeletal changes induced by ovariectomy in rats, particularly those at the endocortical surface and in the cancellous bone, are very similar to changes observed in the proximal femur in osteoporotic women. In addition, ovx in the rat had compromised the biomechanical properties at the femoral neck, similar to what occurs in the postmenopausal women. Data presented here confirmed responsiveness of the proximal femur in rat to ovarian hormone deficiency, which appears to be a useful and relevant site to investigate mechanisms and interventions relative to human disease.

Effects of hysterectomy on bone in intact rats, ovariectomized rats, and ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen

To determine whether the uterus plays any role in mediating the ability of estrogen to conserve bone in the rat, eight groups of animals (n = 8) with their skeletons labeled with 45Ca were studied. Rats were ovariectomized (OVX), hysterectomized (Hyst), or given sham operations (Sham) and then pair-fed a low-hydroxyproline casein diet for 4 weeks. The groups were treated orally with 17 beta-estradiol (E2) or vehicle, and serial measurements of biochemical markers of bone breakdown were made in weeks 1, 2, and 4. The femur density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and skeletal calcium and 45Ca content were determined chemically. Final total body calcium values (mg) in the eight treatment groups were (means +/- SD): Sham, 2573 +/- 179; Sham + E2, 2635 +/- 159; Hyst, 2537 +/- 151; Hyst + E2, 2410 +/- 151; OVX, 2189 +/- 146; OVX + E2, 2559 +/- 172; OVX/Hyst, 2138 +/- 132; and OVX/Hyst + E2, 2460 +/- 140. Ovariectomy raised biochemical markers of bone resorption (urinary 45Ca, hydroxyproline, and deoxypyridinoline), lowered DXA bone mineral density, and reduced total body calcium and 45Ca content in both Hyst and Sham-Hyst animals (p < 0.001), whereas E2 treatment prevented these changes. Hysterectomy did not impair the ability of E2 to conserve bone in OVX rats. Thus, we conclude that estrogen-mediated induction of growth factors from uterine tissue does not play an essential role in mediating the bone-conserving actions of estrogen in the rat.

Stimulation of the growth of femoral trabecular bone in ovariectomized rats by the novel parathyroid hormone fragment, hPTH-(1-31)NH2 (Ostabolin)

The human parathyroid hormone, hPTH-(1-84), and its hPTH-(1-34) fragment are promising anabolic agents for treating osteoporosis because they can strongly stimulate the production of biomechanically effective cortical and trabecular bone in osteopenic ovariectomized (OVX) rats and trabecular bone in osteoporotic postmenopausal humans. The ideal PTH fragment for treating osteoporosis would be the smallest and functionally simplest fragment that activates only one signal mechanism and still strongly stimulates trabecular bone growth. A new PTH fragment, hPTH-(1-31)NH2, which only stimulates adenylyl cyclase instead of stimulating both adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase-C as do hPTH-(1-84) and hPTH-(1-34), is this minimum, high-potency anabolic fragment. hPTH-(1-31)NH2 (which we have named Ostabolin) can greatly thicken trabeculae and increase the dry weight and calcium content of trabecular bone in the distal femurs of osteopenic, young, sexually mature OVX Sprague-Dawley rats when injected subcutaneously each day for 6 weeks at doses between 0.4 and 1.6 nmole/100 g of body weight.

Functional characterization of prostaglandin E2 inducible osteogenic colony forming units in cultures of cells isolated from the neonatal rat calvarium

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increases the number of mineralized nodules that form in cultures of rat calvarial (RC) cells. The purpose of our study was to characterize PGE2-inducible osteogenic colony forming units (CFU-Os) by determining their number, the cell populations from which they were released, their specific responsive period to PGE2, and their proliferating and differentiating characteristics under the stimulation of PGE2. Limiting dilution analysis was used to determine the number of PGE2-inducible CFU-Os. Sequential digestion of intact rat parietal bones with collagenase isolated 5 subpopulations of RC cells that were used to estimate the cell populations where PGE2-inducible CFU-Os resided. The responsive period of PGE2-inducible CFU-Os to PGE2 was evaluated by treating cultures of mixed RC cells for all possible combinations of days 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30. PGE2 effects on proliferation and differentiation of CFU-Os were evaluated by comparing the DNA synthesis and AP activity in subpopulations I and IV on days 3, 6, and 9. Results showed: (1) PGE2-inducible CFU-Os represent 0.27% of cells in the mixed RC population, (2) the majority of determined and PGE2-inducible CFU-Os were found in the subpopulations released during the 60-100 min digestion periods, (3) the response of PGE2-inducible CFU-Os is limited to the first 10 days of culture, and (4) PGE2-stimulated nodule formation is associated with an early increase in DNA synthesis and a sustained increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. We conclude that, functionally, PGE2-inducible CFU-Os are slowly proliferating AP negative cells primarily found in the subpopulations III-V. PGE2 stimulates them to proliferate and become AP+, and function as determined CFU-Os to form mineralized nodules in vitro.

Effects of prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha on the skeleton of osteopenic ovariectomized rats

This article contains the histomorphometric evaluation of the effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on cancellous bone from the lumbar vertebra and cortical bone from the tibial shaft of ovariectomized, osteopenic rats. These effects were then compared with those of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Three-month-old rats were either ovariectomized (ovx) or sham-ovx. Then, either PGF2 alpha or PGE2 in doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day was given subcutaneously for 21 days at 150 days post ovx. Histomorphometric analysis was performed separately on both the primary and secondary spongiosae of the fourth lumbar vertebral bodies (LVB) and on tibial shafts. The ovx rats exhibited osteopenia in both primary (-23% to -37%) and secondary (-20%) spongiosae of the LVB, but not in the tibial shafts at 150 and 171 days post ovx. In the LVB, PGE2 in doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg/day for 21 days restored trabecular bone volume to the levels of sham-ovx controls in the primary spongiosa. However, in the secondary spongiosa, the treatments only thickened the trabeculae. The effects of the PGF2 alpha treatment were similar to those of the PGE2 in both the primary and the secondary spongiosae. While both PGF2 alpha and PGE2 treatments stimulated bone formation in the LVB as indicated by the increases in labeled perimeter, tissue and bone area-based bone formation rates, PGE2 is about 10 times more potent than PGF2 alpha in these effects. The PGE2 treatment also elevated activation frequency in the LVB, while the PGF2 alpha treatment did not. The treatments differed in that PGE2 at these dose levels did not alter the eroded surface in the LVB while PGF2 alpha decreased it significantly. Thus, the increase of the ratio of labeled to eroded perimeter in the LVB in PGF2 alpha-treated animals was much more than that in PGE2-treated animals. In the tibial shafts, PGE2 in doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day produced new marrow trabeculae in 2 of 6 and 3 of 6 of the ovx rats. However, no new trabecula was found in PGF2 alpha-treated tibial shafts. Higher doses of PGE2 also increased periosteal labeled perimeter, MAR, and BFR/BS, while PGF2 alpha did not produce any significant change in these parameters. Both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day increased the labeled perimeter, MAR and BFR/BS and decreased the eroded perimeter in the endocortical surface. We concluded that both PGF2 alpha and PGE2 in doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day for 21 days exhibited anabolic bone effects. The effects were mostly confined to an increase in trabecular volume in the primary spongiosa of the LVB and in the endocortical surface of tibial shafts. The tissue level mechanism behind this appears to be that PGE2 and PGF2 alpha can both stimulate osteoblast recruitment and activity. Overall, we found PGE2 to be more potent than PGF2 alpha at the same dose level at the endocortical surface. Furthermore, new marrow trabecular bone formed only after PGE2 treatment. PGF2 alpha differed from PGE2 by significantly reducing the trabecular eroded surface in ovx rats.

Mechanotransduction and the functional response of bone to mechanical strain

Mechanotransduction plays a crucial role in the physiology of many tissues including bone. Mechanical loading can inhibit bone resorption and increase bone formation in vivo. In bone, the process of mechanotransduction can be divided into four distinct steps: (1) mechanocoupling, (2) biochemical coupling, (3) transmission of signal, and (4) effector cell response. In mechanocoupling, mechanical loads in vivo cause deformations in bone that stretch bone cells within and lining the bone matrix and create fluid movement within the canaliculae of bone. Dynamic loading, which is associated with extracellular fluid flow and the creation of streaming potentials within bone, is most effective for stimulating new bone formation in vivo. Bone cells in vitro are stimulated to produce second messengers when exposed to fluid flow or mechanical stretch. In biochemical coupling, the possible mechanisms for the coupling of cell-level mechanical signals into intracellular biochemical signals include force transduction through the integrin-cytoskeleton-nuclear matrix structure, stretch-activated cation channels within the cell membrane, G protein-dependent pathways, and linkage between the cytoskeleton and the phospholipase C or phospholipase A pathways. The tight interaction of each of these pathways would suggest that the entire cell is a mechanosensor and there are many different pathways available for the transduction of a mechanical signal. In the transmission of signal, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and bone lining cells may act as sensors of mechanical signals and may communicate the signal through cell processes connected by gap junctions. These cells also produce paracrine factors that may signal osteoprogenitors to differentiate into osteoblasts and attach to the bone surface. Insulin-like growth factors and prostaglandins are possible candidates for intermediaries in signal transduction. In the effector cell response, the effects of mechanical loading are dependent upon the magnitude, duration, and rate of the applied load. Longer duration, lower amplitude loading has the same effect on bone formation as loads with short duration and high amplitude. Loading must be cyclic to stimulate new bone formation. Aging greatly reduces the osteogenic effects of mechanical loading in vivo. Also, some hormones may interact with local mechanical signals to change the sensitivity of the sensor or effector cells to mechanical load.

Intermittent treatments of prostaglandin E2 plus risedronate and prostaglandin E2 alone are equally anabolic on tibial shaft of ovariectomized rats

Effects of intermittent administration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), risedronate (Ris) and their combination on bone mass were studied on the cortical bone of tibial shafts of ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Six month old ovx rats were treated immediately after operation with subcutaneous injections of 6 mg PGE2/kg/d, 5 micrograms Ris/kg/2x/wk or their combination for 60 days each of an on/off/on cycle. PGE2 alone and in combination with Ris added the same amount of new bone in the first 60 days on period. During the 60 days off period, newly added endocortical and marrow trabecular bone disappeared in PGE2 alone treatment groups. In co-treatment group, the marrow trabeculae were only partly lost. There was no difference in total bone area between co-treatment and PGE2 alone groups after another 60 days on treatment. Our findings indicate that co-treatment was better in the maintenance of newly added endocortical and marrow trabecular bone during the off period; however, it formed less bone than PGE2 alone during the second treatment period, and ended up with the same amount of bone with both treatments.

Risedronate plus prostaglandin E2 is superior to prostaglandin E2 alone in maintaining the added bone after withdrawal in a non-growing bone site in ovariectomized rats

Effects of risedronate and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) alone or in combination on the distal tibia, a non-growing bone site with closed epiphysis at 3 months of age, were studied in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Six-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were either ovx or sham-ovx. Rats were treated immediately after operation either with risedronate (5 micrograms/kg/2x/wk), PGE2 (6 mg/kg/d), or risedronate+PGE2 for 60 days (on-groups) and followed by 60 days without treatment (off-groups). Trabecular area, width and numbers were determined in metaphyseal cancellous bone of the distal tibia. No significant bone loss or structural changes were observed in the distal tibial metaphysis after 120 days of ovx. Risedronate alone did not produce any effect on bone mass during the treatment and the withdrawal periods. PGE2 alone increased the trabecular bone mass associated with thickened trabeculae and increased trabecular numbers. However, some of the newly formed bone was lost at the end of 60 days withdrawal. Combination of risedronate and PGE2 treatment added the same amount of bone mass as PGE2 alone, and the added new bone was maintained during the 60 days withdrawal. These results indicate that treatment with risedronate and PGE2 can preserve the anabolic effect of PGE2 on bone mass for at least 60 days after treatment.

Intermittent treatment of prostaglandin E2 with risedronate is more anabolic than prostaglandin E2 alone in the proximal tibial metaphysis of ovariectomized rats

This study is designed to test how intermittent application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and risedronate (Ris) alone or in combination acts on the cancellous bone mass in estrogen-deficient rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (ovx) or sham-ovx'd at 6 months of age. PGE2 (6mg/kg/d), Ris (5 micrograms/kg/twice a week) or PGE2 plus Ris were given for 60 days to ovx rats immediately after operation and followed by 60 days without treatment. The drugs were then reapplied for another 60 days. Static histomorphometry was performed on the secondary spongiosa of proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM). Sixty days of ovx lost trabecular bone and number, Ris prevented ovx-induced bone loss. PGE2 added 48% extra cancellous bone, but the new bone was completely lost after 60 days of withdrawal. Another 60 days of PGE2 treatment only partially restored the trabecular bone, the bone mass was still -42% lower than that of sham-ovx controls. Co-treatment of PGE2 with Ris added the same amount of bone as PGE2 alone after the first 60 days treatment period, but differed from PGE2 alone in that the new bone lost less during the 60 days withdrawal period. Re-application of co-treatment for another 60 days added more extra bone. We concluded that intermittent co-treatment with anabolic and anti-resorptive agents is more effective than anabolic agent alone in long-term therapy of cancellous bone in estrogen-deficient rats.

Risedronate pretreatment does not hamper the anabolic effects of prostaglandin E2 in ovx rats

Pretreatment of an anti-resorptive agent on the anabolic effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was studied on the proximal tibia and tibial shaft of ovariectomy (ovx) rats. Two days after ovx, rats were treated with either risedronate (Ris, 5 micrograms/kg twice weekly) or vehicle (V) for 60 days and then switched to 3 or 6 mg/kg/d PGE2 for 21 or 90 days. Bone area of both proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM) and tibial shaft (TX) were measured. Pretreatment with Ris increased the bone mass in PTM but not in TX of ovx rats. In the PTM, PGE2 produced the same percentage of new bone mass in both V- and Ris-pretreated ovx rats. The amount of new bone was almost the same after 3 weeks and 12 weeks of PGE2 treatment. There was no difference in the anabolic effects of 3 and 6 mg PGE2/kg/d in V-pretreated rats; however, the effects in Ris-pretreated groups were greater with 6 mg PGE2/kg/d than with 3 mg PGE2/kg/d. In TX, only the 6mg PGE2/kg/d administration added new bone on endocortical surfaces of both V- or Ris-pretreatment rats which leads to thickening the minimal cortical width, decreasing the marrow cavity and increasing total bone area. Both doses of PGE2 created new trabecular bone in the marrow cavity of tibial shaft in both vehicle- and Ris-pretreated ovx rats. These results suggest that Ris-pretreatment did not hamper the anabolic effects of PGE2 on either PTM or TX in ovx rats.

Co-treatment of PGE2 and risedronate is better than PGE2 alone in the long-term treatment of ovariectomized-induced osteopenic rats

We studied the effects of prostaglandin (PGE2) and risedronate (Ris) alone or in combination in 3.5-month-old intact and ovx-induced osteopenic rat skeletons to determine whether PGE2 plus Ris was more anabolic than PGE2 alone. Six mg PGE2/kg/d and 5 micrograms Ris/kg/2x/wk alone or in combination were given to sham-ovx and ovx rats for 30 or 90 days beginning 60 days post operation. Secondary spongiosa of proximal tibial metaphyses (PTM) was studied. Ovariectomy (ovx) induced dramatic bone loss. Ris increased bone mass in sham-ovx rats and prevented further bone loss in ovx rats. PGE2 treatment for 30 days added extra bone in sham-ovx rats and no further increase after 90 days treatment. Thirty days of PGE2 alone treatment restored the bone mass in ovx rats to the level of sham-ovx rats, but the restored bone was partially lost by 90 days of treatment. Co-treatment for 30 days produced the same amount of bone mass in both sham-ovx and ovx rats as PGE2 alone did. However, unlike the PGE2 alone treated, co-treatment animals continued to form more bone for 90 days. The difference in tissue-level histomorphometry between co-treatment and PGE2 alone was that the former depressed the bone resorption and turnover. These findings indicated that the long-term administration of PGE2 alone cannot maintain or continue to add bone mass in ovx rats but that co-treatment of a PGE2 with an anti-resorptive or activation agent can resist the influence of the mechanostat induced bone loss as well as continue to add bone.

Extra cancellous bone induced by combined prostaglandin E2 and risedronate administration is maintained after their withdrawal in older female rats

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been recognized for its marked anabolic effect on bone, but the bone gain is lost after the cessation of PGE2 treatment. In previous studies, we were successful in maintaining the new bone by administering a bisphosphonate after the withdrawal of PGE2 treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the fate of the extra bone induced by a combination with PGE2 and risedronate after discontinuing treatment. Ninety-six 9-month-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 1 or 5 micrograms of risedronate/kg/twice weekly, 6 mg of PGE2/kg/day alone or 6 mg of PGE2/kg/day plus 1 or 5 micrograms of risedronate/kg/twice weekly for 60 days (day 0) and followed by 60 days without treatment (day 60). We have reported the results from the groups treated for 60 days previously. This report is restricted to the histomorphometric findings on the secondary spongiosa of the proximal tibial metaphysis in the groups after withdrawal for 60 days. We found that the only group that maintained the PGE2 induced new bone after withdrawal was the group treated with 6 mg of PGE2/kg/day plus 5 micrograms of risdronate/kg/twice a week. Withdrawal of this combined treatment depressed bone turnover (bone-based bone formation rate, activation frequency) and bone resorption (percent eroded perimeter). The tissue mechanisms responsible for the protection drew from the previously deposited risedronate.

The role of prostaglandins in bone formation

Prostaglandins of the E series have been shown to be effective inducers of bone formation in vivo. In this study, the effects of PGE2 were evaluated in vivo using subcutaneous administration (3 mg/kg/d for 25 days) to ovariectomized rats or local application in the marrow cavity of tibiae of rats using biodegradable implants (0.13, 1.4 and 32 microg released over 8 days). Systemic treatment of rats with PGE2 stimulated cancellous bone formation in the metaphysis of the proximal tibiae as well as endocortical bone formation and de novo trabecular bone formation in the marrow cavity. Local delivery of PGE2 increased cancellous bone volume in the secondary spongiosa and cortical thickness (at 32 microg). Comparisons of prostanoid effects in vitro, in a bone-derived cell line, showed that PGF2alpha was a better stimulator of DNA synthesis than PGE2. PGF2alpha increased the steady state levels of IGF-I receptor mRNA while PGE2 increased IGF-I expression. Although the mechanism of bone formation by PGE2 is not known at this time, it is clear that PGE2 has powerful local anabolic effects on bone formation in vivo possibly by mediating responses to signals such as changes in mechanical force.

Prostaglandin E2 administration prevents bone loss induced by orchidectomy in rats

The objects of this study were to investigate whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can prevent orchidectomy (ORX)-induced cancellous bone loss in growing male rats, and to determine the differential effects of PGE2 on sham-operated (sham) and ORX male rats. Fourteen-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into groups of basal, vehicle-treated sham, PGE2-treated sham, vehicle-treated ORX, and PGE2-treated ORX rats for either 3 or 9 weeks. PGE2 was given at 6 mg/kg body weight daily by subcutaneous injection. Static and dynamic cancellous bone histomorphometry were performed on double-fluorescent labeled undecalcified proximal tibial metaphyseal sections. No effect was observed by ORX on body weight or longitudinal bone growth rate when compared with sham-operated controls. However, androgen deficiency caused significant increases in percent eroded perimeter, mineral apposition rate, and bone turnover (bone-volume-referent-bone formation rate), which resulted in a significant decrease in trabecular bone number, increase in trabecular separation, and a nonsignificant decrease in trabecular bone area by 3 weeks of ORX. After 9 weeks of ORX, trabecular bone area and number were significantly decreased, and trabecular separation, percent eroded perimeter, and the index of bone turnover (bone-volume-referent-bone formation rate) remained significantly increased while the index of bone formation (tissue-volume-referent-bone formation rate) was nonsignificantly decreased when compared with sham controls. When 6 mg PGE2/kg/day was given for 3 and 9 weeks, similar anabolic effects were observed in sham and ORX rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on mineralization of bone nodules formed by fetal rat calvarial cells

The effects of PGE2 on mineralized bone nodule formation were studied in fetal rat calvarial (RC) cells in vitro. Continuous exposure of RC cells to 3 x 10(-8) M PGE2 induced a twofold increase in mineralized bone nodule formation and a 1.5-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity without affecting RC cell growth. These stimulatory effects were evoked by concentrations of 3 x 10(-9)-3 x 10(-6) M PGE2 and the maximal effect was observed with 3 x 10(-8) M PGE2. The in vitro effects of PGE2 were evident when RC cells were exposed to it on days 8-14 and 8-21, which correspond to the post-confluent culture stage, but no effects were observed when the cells were exposed on days 1-7, the growth stage. The ALPase activity was also higher (1.2-1.4-fold) when 3 x 10(-8) M PGE2 was added during the post-confluent stage. In order to determine the effect of PGE2 during the mineralization phase of bone nodules in the presence of a large population of osteoprogenitor cells, RC cells were exposed to dexamethasone for 7 days before PGE2 was added during the post-confluent stage. A significantly higher percentage of nodules mineralized were observed with 3 x 10(-8)-3 x 10(-9) M PGE2 (1.6- and 1.4-fold, respectively), than in control cultures. Analysis of the mineral-related proteins by EDTA extraction of bone nodules followed by electrophoresis and Stains-All staining revealed an increased total amount of osteopontin extracted from the mineralized matrix after PGE2 treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Local delivery of prostaglandin E1 induces periodontal regeneration in adult dogs

Formation of cementum, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament was produced in 18 sites on buccal surfaces of mandibular premolars and molars of 11 adult dogs near to sites of local delivery of prostaglandin E1 (PGE) for three weeks. Mineralizing bone and cementum were labelled with fluorescent dyes and polarizing microscopy showed periodontal ligament fibers between these new mineralized tissues. These observations extend recent demonstrations that local application of PGE causes formation of new bone on the mandible and suggest the potential for predictable, site-directed periodontal regeneration.

Prostaglandin E2 adds bone to a cancellous bone site with a closed growth plate and low bone turnover in ovariectomized rats

The objects of this study were to determine the responses of a cancellous bone site with a closed growth plate (the distal tibial metaphysis, DTM) to ovariectomy (OVX) and OVX plus a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) treatment, and compare the site's response to previous findings reported for another site (the proximal tibial metaphysis, PTM). Thirty-five 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: basal, sham-OVX, and OVX + 0, +1, or +6 mg PGE2/kg/d injected subcutaneously for 3 months and given double fluorescent labels before sacrifice. Cancellous bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on 20-microns-thick undecalcified DTM sections. Similar to the PTM, the DTM showed age-related decreases in bone formation and increases in bone resorption, but it differed in that at 3 months post-OVX, there was neither bone loss nor changes in formation endpoints. Giving 1 mg PGE2/kg/d to OVX rats prevented most age-related changes and maintained the bone formation histomorphometry near basal levels. Treating OVX rats with 6 mg PGE2/kg/d prevented age-related bone changes, added extra bone, and improved microanatomical structure by stimulating bone formation without altering bone resorption. Furthermore, after PGE2 administration, the DTM, a cancellous bone site with a closed growth plate, increased bone formation more than did the cancellous bone in the PTM.

Influence of age on cyclosporin A-induced alterations in bone mineral metabolism in the rat in vivo

Cyclosporin A (CsA) administered to actively growing young rats produces a high-turnover osteopenia. We investigated and compared the effect of CsA on the bone mineral metabolism in young rats with that of older rats, which have a lower rate of bone turnover. A group of 24 young (9 weeks) and 24 older (9 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered 15 mg/kg of CsA or placebo daily for 24 days. Rats were weighed and serum assayed serially for bone gla protein (BGP), parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D]. After sacrifice, histomorphometric analysis was performed on undecalcified proximal tibial metaphysis with double-fluorescent labeling. Serum BGP levels were significantly elevated in both young and older rats administered CsA, and 1,25-(OH)2D levels were significantly elevated in CsA-treated young rats more than in older rats. Body weight was significantly reduced in CsA-treated older rats. There were mild but significant alterations in renal function in both groups receiving CsA. In the most comprehensive examination to date of the effects of CsA on bone histomorphometry, both young (-44%) and older rats (-20%) lost significant amounts of trabecular bone compared to their respective controls. Bone loss in young rats was mainly due to a reduced number of trabecular; older rats lost mainly trabecular thickness. Microanatomic nodal studies were consistent with these results. These data demonstrate that although cancellous bone loss induced by CsA is more marked in young rats, older rats with slower bone turnover are also at risk.

Maintenance of bone mass by physical exercise after discontinuation of intermittent hPTH(1-34) administration

Human PTH(1-34) has been recognized for its marked anabolic effect on bone, but that effect has been reported to be lost after cessation of PTH treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the fate of hPTH-stimulated bone and whether this anabolic effect of PTH could be maintained by daily exercise. Eleven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and human PTH(1-34) (30 micrograms/kg) was injected subcutaneously three times per week for 12 weeks beginning one week after surgery. After the cessation of PTH treatment, treadmill exercises were performed for 8 weeks (15.7 m/min, 1 h/day, 5 days/week). The results of histomorphometric assessment in the proximal tibial metaphysis demonstrated that hPTH treatment partially prevented OVX-induced cancellous bone loss. Eight weeks following the cessation of PTH treatment, PTH-stimulated bone mass went back to the OVX control level. Daily exercise did maintain PTH-stimulated bone mass; however, this exercise did not increase the bone mass in PTH-untreated OVX rats.

Short-term effects of organic silicon on trabecular bone in mature ovariectomized rats

Silicon is known to ensure an essential role in the formation of cross-links between collagen and proteoglycans during bone growth. In this study, we have evaluated the short-term effects of a preventive treatment with silanol, a soluble organic silicon (Si), on trabecular bone in mature ovariectomized rats. Three-month-old rats were sham-operated (sham) or were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with 10 micrograms/kg/day of 17 beta estradiol (E2), or with 0.1 mg Si/kg/day or 1.0 mg Si/kg/day of silanol for 1 month. Plasma alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were increased by 50% in OVX rats compared with sham rats and were corrected by E2 but not by silanol treatment. The trabecular bone volume measured at the tibial metaphysis was decreased by 48%, and histomorphometric indices of bone resorption and formation were increased in OVX rats compared with sham, and these parameters were corrected by E2 treatment. Treatment of OVX rats with silanol decreased the osteoclast surface by 31% and the number of osteoclasts by 20%. The mineral apposition rate, the bone formation rate, and the osteoblast surface at the tibia metaphyseal area were increased by 30% at the higher dose of silanol compared with OVX rats. In contrast, silanol treatment had no effect on the periosteal apposition rate. The reduction of the metaphyseal bone resorption and the increased bone formation induced by silanol resulted in a slight improvement of the trabecular bone volume (+14%) compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anabolic responses of an adult cancellous bone site to prostaglandin E2 in the rat

The objects of this study were to determine: (1) the response of a non-growing cancellous bone site to daily prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) administration; and (2) the differences in the effects of daily PGE2 administration in growing (proximal tibial metaphysis, PTM) and non-growing cancellous bone sites (distal tibial metaphysis, DTM). Seven-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of 0, 1, 3 and 6 mg PGE2/kg per day for 60, 120 and 180 days. The static and dynamic histomorphometric analyses were performed on double-fluorescent labeled undecalcified distal tibial metaphyses (DTM). No age-related changes were found in static and dynamic histomorphometry of DTM cancellous bone between 7 and 13 months of age. The DTM of 7-month-old (basal controls) rats consisted of a 24.5 +/- 7.6%-metaphyseal cancellous bone mass, and a thick trabeculae (92 +/- 12 micron). It also had a very low tissue-base bone formation rate (3.0 +/- 7.3%/year). Exogenous PGE2 administration produced the following transient changes in a dose-response manner between zero and 60 days: (1) increased trabecular bone mass and improved architecture (increased trabecular bone area, width and number, and decreased trabecular separation); (2) increased trabecular interconnections; (3) increased bone formation parameters; and (4) decreased eroded perimeter. A new steady state with more cancellous bone mass and higher bone turnover was observed from day 60 onward. The elevated bone mass induced by the first 60 days of PGE2 treatment was maintained by another 60 and 120 days with continuous daily PGE2 treatment. When these findings were compared to those previously reported for the PTM, we found that the DTM was much more responsive to PGE2 treatment than the PTM. Percent trabecular bone area and tissue-based bone formation rate increased significantly more in DTM as compared to PTM after the 60 days of 6 mg PGE2 treatment. These observations indicate that a non-growing cancellous bone site is more responsive than growing bone site to long-term daily administration of PGE2.

Effect of prostaglandin D2 on the femoral bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats

We studied the effects of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on the femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and other related parameters in ovariectomized (OVx) and sham-operated rats. BMD was measured in vivo by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the period of 36 days or 112 days after operation. When 9- or 10-week-old rats were used at the time of operation, the femoral BMD increased during these periods. Ovariectomy resulted in a marked suppression of this steady increase in BMD at both proximal and distal ends of the femur. Subcutaneous administration of a slow-release preparation of PGD2 on days 1 and 21 not only prevented the ovariectomy-induced suppression of BMD, but also augmented the steady increase in BMD of the sham-operated rats. When medication was started on day 70, the depressed rate of increase in BMD was restored to the control level. Serum calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were not affected by either ovariectomy or by PGD2 administration. Body weight and bone length were increased, but uterine weight was decreased by ovariectomy. PGD2 administration showed no effects on these parameters. There was a significant increase in the fasting level of urinary hydroxyproline excretion after ovariectomy, and PGD2 administration had no significant effect on this parameter either. These results indicate that the prevention of osteopenia in OVx rats and the increase in BMD in sham-operated and post-OVx rats by PGD2 administration are due to its stimulatory effect on bone formation.

Prostaglandin E2 increased rat cortical bone mass when administered immediately following ovariectomy

To investigate the effects of ovariectomy and the simultaneous administration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on rat tibial shaft cortical bone histomorphometry, thirty-five 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either ovariectomized (OVX), or sham ovariectomy (sham-OVX). The OVX rats were divided into three groups and treated with 0, 1 and 6 mg PGE2/kg/day for 90 days. The double fluorescent labeled undecalcified tibial shaft cross sections (proximal to the tibiofibular junction) of all the subjects were used for histomorphometry analysis. No differences in cross-sectional area and cortical bone area were found between sham-OVX and OVX controls, but OVX increased marrow area, intracortical porosity area and endocortical eroded perimeter. Periosteal and endocortical bone formation rates decreased with aging yet OVX prevented these changes. These OVX-induced increases in marrow area and endocortical eroded perimeter were prevented by 1 mg PGE2/kg/day treatment and added bone to periosteal and endocortical surfaces and to the marrow cavity. At the 6 mg/kg/day dose level, PGE2-treated OVX rats increased total tissue area, cortical bone area, marrow trabecular bone area, minimal cortical width and intracortical porosity area, and decreased marrow area compared to basal, sham-OVX and OVX controls. In addition, periosteal bone formation was elevated in the 6 mg PGE2/kg/day-treated OVX rats compared to OVX controls. Endocortical eroded perimeter increased from basal and sham-OVX control levels, but decreased from OVX control levels in the 6 mg PGE2/kg/day-treated OVX rats. Our study confirmed that ovariectomy does not cause osteopenia in tibial shaft cortical bone in rats, but it does stimulate endocortical bone resorption and enlarges marrow area. The new findings from the present study demonstrate that PGE2 prevents the OVX-induced increases in endocortical bone resorption and marrow area and adds additional bone to periosteal and endocortical surfaces and to marrow cavity to increase total bone mass in the tibial shaft of OVX rats when given immediately following ovariectomy.

Prostaglandin E2 restores cancellous bone to immobilized limb and adds bone to overloaded limb in right hindlimb immobilization rats

The purpose of this study was to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can restore cancellous bone mass and architecture to osteopenic, continuously immobilized (IM), proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM) in female rats. The right hindlimb of three and one-half-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were immobilized by right hindlimb immobilization (RHLI) in which the right hindlimb was underloaded and the contralateral left limb was overloaded during ambulation. After 4 or 12 weeks of RHLI, the rats were treated with 3 or 6 mg PGE2/kg/day and RHLI for 8 or 16 weeks. Bone histomorphometry was performed on microradiographs of PTM. Immobilization (IM) induced a transient cancellous bone loss and decreased trabecular thickness, number and node density, and increased free end density that established a new steady state after 4 weeks of IM. Three or 6 mg PGE2/kg/d for 8 weeks beginning at 4 or 12 weeks of IM completely restored cancellous bone mass (+127% to +188%) and structure to the age-related control levels in spite of continuous IM. Another 8 weeks of treatment maintained bone mass and architecture at these levels. No differences in cancellous bone mass and architecture were found between the overloaded PTM or RHLI rats and the age-related controls. However, 3 and 6 mg/kg/d of PGE2 treatment started at 4 or 12 weeks for 8 weeks significantly increased cancellous bone mass in the overloaded PTM (+45 to +74% of untreated controls), and another 8 weeks of treatment maintained bone mass at these levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)