Sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate increases bone mass in ovariectomized rats

Bisphosphonates are synthetic pyrophosphate analogs that can be used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate, as a pyrophosphate analog, may be useful in the clinical setting for osteoporosis. In this study, an ovariectomized rat model is used to evaluate the effects of orally administered sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate on bone mass. Thirty‐six female rats were used in this study. They randomly were divided into six groups: a negative normal control group, a positive osteoporosis control group, and ovariectomized groups treated either with alendronate sodium (one group) or sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate (three groups, each at a different level). The animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks after treatment. For all the rats, whole blood samples were obtained for the biochemical study. Bone ashes of long bones were measured and studied and histologic studies of cancellous bone were carried out. The ingestion of either alendronate or sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate did not have any deleterious effect on the major visceral organs. Ingestion of alendronate or sintered pyrophosphate decreased the bony porosity and increased bone mineral contents in the long bones of ovariectomized rats. Thus sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate can increase bone mass in the ovariectomized rat. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 246–253, 2002