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Effect of pentoxifylline on histopathological changes in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head: experimental study in chicken

International Orthopaedics volume 36, pages 1523–1528 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a derivative of methylxanthine and is used in peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular diseases for its effect on the regulation of blood circulation. We investigated whether PTX could be beneficial for femoral head osteonecrosis associated with steroid through these effects.

Methods

Sixty mature Leghorn type chickens were chosen and divided into three groups. The 25 chickens in group A were given a weekly dose of 3 mg/kg/week methylprednisolone acetate intramuscularly. Four chickens in group B died after the first drug injection and were excluded from the study. Therefore, the remaining 21 chickens in group B were additionally given 25 mg/kg/day pentoxifylline intramuscularly, along with the steroid medication as given in group A. The ten chickens in group C were not given any injections, as they were accepted as the control group. After the sacrifice of the animals at week 14, both femoral heads were taken from each animal. The animals which died along the course of the study also underwent pathological examination but were not a part of the statistical analysis.

Results

In this study, steroid induced femoral head osteonecrosis has been experimentally observed in chickens after high doses of corticosteroid therapy. The chickens were given pentoxifylline in order to prevent the effects of steroid on bones and bone marrow. The results showed that chickens are suitable osteonecrosis models, and that steroid causes adipogenesis and necrosis in the bone marrow and the death of the subchondral bone.

Conclusions

The results of this study hint at the assumption that PTX may have a positive benefit on ONFH. PTX seems to minimise the effects of the steroid and reduce the incidence of ONFH.

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The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Anadolu Medical Center, Kocaeli, Turkey

    H. Yener Erken

  2. 2nd Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Dr. Lutfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Onder Ofluoglu & Muzaffer Yildiz

  3. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mustafa Aktas

  4. Pathology Department, Dr. Lutfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Cumhur Topal

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  1. H. Yener Erken
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  2. Onder Ofluoglu
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Correspondence to H. Yener Erken.

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Erken, H.Y., Ofluoglu, O., Aktas, M. et al. Effect of pentoxifylline on histopathological changes in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head: experimental study in chicken. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 36, 1523–1528 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1497-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1497-6

Keywords

  • Femoral Head
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Pentoxifylline
  • Bone Marrow Oedema
  • Steroid Medication