Vitamin E prevents steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits

Abstract

Background and purpose Prevention of osteonecrosis after corticosteroid administration would be important. We examined the potential of vitamin E (α-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 α-tocopherol-supplemented diet in which α-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 α-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.

View correction statement:

Notice of correction: Acta Orthopaedica 81(2)

Acknowledgments

MK, MF, KT, and YA designed the study. MK, MI, and TG performed the experiment and collected and analyzed the data. MK and MI did the histological examinations. MK wrote the draft manuscript. MF and TK revised the manuscript.

For this study we received a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan.

No competing interests declared.