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Characterization of a new experimental model of osteoporosis in rabbits

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Abstract

To characterize an experimental model of osteoporosis in rabbits induced either by ovariectomy (OVX), glucocorticoids, or by a combination of both. Thirty-five rabbits were randomly allocated into five groups: bilateral OVX, daily methylprednisolone hemisuccinate (MPH) injections at a 1.5 mg/kg/day dose for 4 consecutive weeks (MPH group), or variable dose of MPH between 0.5 and 2 mg/kg/day in combination with OVX (OVX + MPH at low, medium, and high dose). Twenty-two animals were killed 6 weeks after OVX, and 13 were killed 16 weeks later. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was obtained at baseline and 6 and 16 weeks after OVX. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out at 0 and 6 weeks after OVX. Glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and oestradiol blood levels before and 16 weeks after OVX were determined. Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased significantly at lumbar spine in MPH and OVX + MPH medium-dose groups, and at global knee and subchondral bone of the knee in MPH, OVX + MPH low- and medium-dosage groups (P < 0.05). BMD variations in OVX rabbits were not significant in any of the three anatomical locations analyzed. BMD variation 16 weeks after OVX was significant at lumbar spine and global knee in the OVX + MPH medium-dose group and only at global knee in the OVX + MPH low-dose group (P < 0.05). MRI did not show bone or cartilage changes. Osteoporosis can be induced experimentally in rabbits through isolated MPH or by a combination of OVX and medium dose corticosteroid for 4 weeks. OVX alone was not sufficient to induce osteoporosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain

    Santos Castañeda

  2. Bone and Joint Research Unit, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Emilio Calvo, Raquel Largo & Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain

    Emilio Calvo

  4. Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain

    Rocío González-González

  5. Biochemistry Laboratory, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain

    Concepción de la Piedra

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain

    Manuel Díaz-Curiel

Authors
  1. Santos Castañeda
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  2. Emilio Calvo
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  3. Raquel Largo
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  4. Rocío González-González
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  5. Concepción de la Piedra
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  6. Manuel Díaz-Curiel
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  7. Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont.

Additional information

Part of this study was presented at the 28th annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Philadelphia, PA, USA, September 15–19, 2006 [J Bone Miner Res 2006;21(suppl 1):S178]

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Castañeda, S., Calvo, E., Largo, R. et al. Characterization of a new experimental model of osteoporosis in rabbits. J Bone Miner Metab 26, 53–59 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-007-0797-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-007-0797-1

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