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Effect of atorvastatin on the cortical bones of corticosteroid treated rabbits
Author(s) -
Handal John A.,
John Thomas K.,
Goldstein Daniel T.,
Khurana Jasvir S.,
Saing Minn,
Braitman Leonard E.,
Samuel Solomon P.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.22030
Subject(s) - medicine , corticosteroid , osteoporosis , methylprednisolone , cortical bone , methylprednisolone acetate , atorvastatin , endocrinology , urology , anatomy
Abstract Osteoporosis (“secondary” osteoporosis) and avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head are well‐known adverse effects of corticosteroid therapy. Statins have been reputed to increase bone strength and bone density. In this study, we evaluated the effect of atorvastatin calcium on the flexural properties (3‐point bending strength and modulus) of corticosteroid (methylprednisolone acetate) treated rabbit femurs and tibias. Our study hypothesis was that the use of statins would counteract the loss of bone strength caused by corticosteroid treatment. The 40 rabbits were divided into 5 groups: control, corticosteroid alone and corticosteroid combined with oral doses of atorvastatin calcium (2, 10, or 20 mg/day). A daily oral dose of atorvastatin calcium treatment for 70 days weakened the long bones of methylprednisolone acetate treated rabbits irrespective of the dosage (2, 10, or 20 mg). Cortical bone strength was assessed using the 3‐point bending test at the end of the study period. A daily oral dose of atorvastatin calcium did not attenuate the loss of cortical bone strength caused by corticosteroid treatment in rabbits. It appeared to decrease that bone strength. If these results hold true in humans, they would have wide applicability given the frequent combined use of corticosteroids and statins in many patients. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:872–876, 2012