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The effects of high-dose, long-term alendronate treatment on microarchitecture and bone mineral density of compact and trabecular bone in the proximal femur of adult male rabbits

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Abstract

Introduction

Despite the widespread use of bisphosphonates, its effects on normal bone microarchitecture of the proximal femur are still poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long-term high-dose treatment of alendronate on microstructure and bone mineral density of cancellous, cortical compact and subchondral compact bone of the femoral head and neck region in normal adult male rabbits.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two adult, male rabbits were randomized into and were treated with either alendronate or placebo for 6 and 12 months. Micro-QCT measurements were taken in the (1) trabecular region, (2) cortical region of the femoral neck and (3) the subchondral region of the femoral head.

Results

In the trabecular region of the femoral head, alendronate treatment significantly increased vBMD at 6 and 12 months (+21.0%, p < 0.05 and +26.8%, p < 0.05, respectively) and BVF (29.6%, p < 0.05 and 35.6%, p < 0.05, respectively) with significantly altered bone microarchitecture when compared with their placebo group; 6- and 12-month alendronate treatment significantly increased the vBMD and thickness and decreased the porosity of the subchondral bone in the femoral head.

Conclusion

High-dose alendronate treatment led to significant and differential changes in bone microarchitecture in trabecular, cortical and subchondral bone of the proximal femur of adult male rabbits.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Skeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Jochen G. Hofstaetter, Jinxi Wang & Melvin J. Glimcher

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Jochen G. Hofstaetter

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Jinxi Wang

  4. Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600, Wels, Austria

    Stefan G. Hofstaetter

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  1. Jochen G. Hofstaetter
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  2. Jinxi Wang
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  4. Melvin J. Glimcher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jochen G. Hofstaetter.

Additional information

This study was performed at the Laboratory for Skeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

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Hofstaetter, J.G., Wang, J., Hofstaetter, S.G. et al. The effects of high-dose, long-term alendronate treatment on microarchitecture and bone mineral density of compact and trabecular bone in the proximal femur of adult male rabbits. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 130, 937–944 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-010-1116-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-010-1116-1

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