Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jun 2007
Effects of alfacalcidol on cancellous and cortical bone mass in rats treated with glucocorticoid: a bone histomorphometry study.
The beneficial effects of alfacalcidol (ALF) on bone mass, bone formation, and bone resorption have been established in ovariectomized rats. Our previous studies showed that high-dose glucocorticoid (GC) administration (methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 5.0 mg/kg, s.c., 3 times a week) for 4 wk induced cancellous osteopenia without significantly affecting cortical bone mass in Sprague-Dawley rats, and that high-dose GC administration for 8 wk also resulted in cortical osteopenia. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of ALF on cancellous and cortical bone mass in GC-treated rats. ⋯ Both low- and high-dose ALF prevented the GC-induced reduction of the percent Ct Ar by increasing periosteal bone formation and suppressing endocortical bone resorption. The effects of ALF on cancellous bone mass, bone formation, and bone resorption were all dose-dependent. The present study showed the beneficial effects of ALF on cancellous and cortical bone mass in GC-treated rats.