Osteoporos Sarcopenia.  2018 Dec;4(4):128-133. 10.1016/j.afos.2018.11.085.

Effects of eldecalcitol and ibandronate on secondary osteoporosis and muscle wasting in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis

• Ono Y
• Miyakoshi
• Kasukawa Y
• Nagasawa H
• Tsuchie H
• Akagawa M
• Nagahata I
• Yuasa Y
• Sato C
• Shimada Y

• KMID: 2437293
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.afos.2018.11.085

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovium, progressive erosion of the articular cartilage, and joint destruction. RA also causes secondary osteoporosis and muscle wasting. We investigated the effects of ibandronate (IBN), a bisphosphonate; eldecalcitol (ELD), an active vitamin D3 derivative; and combination treatment with both agents on secondary osteoporosis and muscle wasting using adjuvant-induced arthritis rats.
METHODS
Arthritis was induced in 8-week-old male Lewis rats. Rats were randomized into 4 treatment groups and an untreated normal control group: IBN (subcutaneously, once every 2 weeks, 10 µg/kg), ELD (orally, once daily, 30 ng/kg/day), IBN + ELD, vehicle, and control. Paw thickness measurements were performed for evaluation of arthritis. The femur was scanned using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cross-sectional areas of left tibialis and anterior muscle fibers and the expression of MuRF1, atrogin-1, MyoD, and myogenin in the gastrocnemius muscle were measured to evaluate muscle wasting.
RESULTS
IBN and/or ELD increased bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur. In addition, there was an additive effect of combination treatment compared with single treatments for BMD. However, IBN and/or ELD did not inhibit muscle wasting in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats.
CONCLUSIONS
Combination treatment with IBN and ELD may be effective for secondary osteoporosis associated with RA. Other treatments are necessary for muscle wasting associated with RA. Studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.

Keyword

Rheumatoid arthritis; Vitamin D; Bisphosphonate

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Animals
Arthritis*
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Bone Density
Cartilage, Articular
Cholecalciferol
Femur
Humans
Inflammation
Joints
Male
Muscle, Skeletal
Myogenin
Osteoporosis*
Rats*
Synovial Membrane
Vitamin D
Cholecalciferol
Myogenin
Vitamin D