Vitamin E prevents steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits

Acta Orthop. 2010 Feb;81(1):154-60. doi: 10.3109/17453671003587101.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Prevention of osteonecrosis after corticosteroid administration would be important. We examined the potential of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) to reduce the incidence of corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis in an animal model.

Methods: Japanese white rabbits were divided into 2 groups; the control group was fed a normal diet and the experimental group was fed alpha-tocopherol-supplemented diet in which alpha-tocopherol (600 mg/kg diet) was added to the normal diet. To induce osteonecrosis, high-dose methylprednisolone acetate (MPSL) (20 mg/kg body weight) was injected once into the right gluteus medius muscle of all rabbits. 4 weeks after the injection of MPSL, the presence or absence of osteonecrosis of bilateral femurs was examined histopathologically. The tocopherol/cholesterol ratios were calculated. The plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured.

Results: Alpha-tocopherol-supplemented diet reduced the incidence of osteonecrosis, which developed in 14 of 20 rabbits in the control group and 5 of 21 rabbits in the experimental group (p = 0.004). The tocopherol/cholesterol ratio was higher in the experimental group than in the control group after the alpha-tocopherol administration. The plasma TBARS level was lower in the experimental group than in the control group at 4 weeks after the MPSL administration.

Interpretation: Our findings may offer a new approach for the prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Femur Head Necrosis / chemically induced
  • Femur Head Necrosis / prevention & control*
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects*
  • Osteonecrosis / chemically induced
  • Osteonecrosis / pathology
  • Osteonecrosis / prevention & control*
  • Rabbits
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Vitamins
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Methylprednisolone