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Stanozolol Decreases Bone Turnover Markers, Increases Mineralization, and Alters Femoral Geometry in Male Rats

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Abstract

Stanozonol (ST) is a synthetic derivative of testosterone; it has anabolic/androgenic activity, increasing both the turnover of trabecular bone and the endocortical apposition of bone. The present study aimed to examine the effects of ST on bone status in rats by bone mineral content, markers of formation and resorption, bone density, and structural and microarchitectural parameters. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into two experimental groups corresponding to placebo or ST administration, which consisted of weekly intramuscular injections of 10 mg/kg body weight of ST. Plasma parameters were analyzed by immunoassay. Bone mineral content was determined by spectrophotometry. Bone mineral density (BMD) and structural parameters were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and trabecular and cortical microarchitecture by micro-computed tomography. Plasma Ca, Mg, and alkaline phosphatase were higher, and urinary Ca excretion, corticosterone, and testosterone concentrations lower in the ST group. Femur Ca content was higher and P content was lower in the ST, whereas osteocalcin, aminoterminal propeptides of type I procollagen, and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen were lower. Total cross-sectional, trabecular, and cortical/subcortical areas were lower in the ST. No differences were observed on BMD and area parameters of the diaphysis as well as on trabecular and cortical microarchitecture. The use of ST increases bone mineralization, ash percentage, and Ca and Mg content in femur. In spite of an absence of changes in BMD, geometric metaphyseal changes were observed. We conclude that ST alters bone geometry, leads to low bone turnover, and thus may impair bone quality.

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Funding

This study was supported by the project DEP2008-04376 from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and Grants from the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP2009-5033, AP2009-3173). VAA was supported by the Andalucía Talent Hub Program launched by the Andalusian Knowledge Agency, co-funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program, Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (COFUND–Grant Agreement no. 291780) and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment of the Junta de Andalucía.

Authors’ Contributions

EN was involved organizing this research, the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and drafting the manuscript. She is guarantor. VAA was involved in the conception, planning, and designing this study, and the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. DC was involved in the acquisition of data. RM was involved in the acquisition of data. RGE was involved in the analysis and interpretation of data. GK was involved in the acquisition of data. CS was involved in the analysis and interpretation of data. CT was involved in planning and designing this study. JMP was involved in the analysis, the acquisition and interpretation of data, and revising the manuscript. MLJ was involved in the conception, planning, and designing this study, and drafting and revising the manuscript. PA was involved in the conception, planning, and designing this study, and the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. PP was involved in the analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the manuscript. All authors revised the paper critically for intellectual content and approved the final version. All authors agree to be accountable for the work and to ensure that any questions relating to the accuracy and integrity of the paper are investigated and properly resolved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, Campus universitario de Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    E. Nebot, V. A. Aparicio, D. Camiletti-Moirón, R. Martinez, G. Kapravelou, C. Sánchez-González, J. M. Porres, M. López-Jurado & P. Aranda

  2. Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    E. Nebot & P. Pietschmann

  3. Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    V. A. Aparicio

  4. Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain

    D. Camiletti-Moirón

  5. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria

    R. G. Erben

  6. Andaluzian Sport Medicine Centre, San Juan de Dios Universitary Hospital, Granada, Spain

    C. De Teresa

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  1. E. Nebot
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Correspondence to E. Nebot.

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E. Nebot, V. A. Aparicio, D. Camiletti-Moirón, R. Martinez, R. G. Erben, G. Kapravelou, C. Sánchez-González, C. De Teresa, J. M. Porres, M. López-Jurado, P. Aranda, P. Pietschmann declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Nebot, E., Aparicio, V.A., Camiletti-Moirón, D. et al. Stanozolol Decreases Bone Turnover Markers, Increases Mineralization, and Alters Femoral Geometry in Male Rats. Calcif Tissue Int 98, 609–618 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-016-0108-8

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