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  4. Combining systemic and local osteoporosis treatments: A longitudinal in vivo microCT study in ovariectomized rats
 
research article

Combining systemic and local osteoporosis treatments: A longitudinal in vivo microCT study in ovariectomized rats

Stadelmann, Vincent A.
•
Gerossier, Estelle  
•
Kettenberger, Ulrike
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March 1, 2025
Bone

Introduction: Managing osteoporotic patients at immediate fracture risk is challenging, in part due to the slow and localized effects of anti-osteoporotic drugs. Combining systemic anti-osteoporotic therapies with local bone augmentation techniques offers a promising strategy, but little is known about potential interactions. We hypothesized that integrating systemic treatments with local bone-strengthening biomaterials would have an additive effect on bone density and structure. This study investigated interactions and synergies between systemic therapies and injectable biomaterials, HA2 and HA2-ZOL, designed for local bone strengthening. HA2-ZOL incorporates Zoledronate, a bisphosphonate, to enhance anti-resorptive effects. These materials were tested in an in vivo rat model of osteoporosis using microCT and histology. Methods: Thirty-six ovariectomized Wistar rats were treated systemically with vehicle (VEH), alendronate (ALN), or parathyroid hormone (PTH). One week later, their tibiae were randomly assigned to local treatment groups: HA2, HA2-ZOL, or NaCl control. Bilateral injections targeted metaphyseal trabecular bone, with microCT scans tracking changes over 8 weeks. Regions of interest (ROIs) were identified and analyzed for bone volume fraction (BV/TV), tissue mineral density (TMD), and trabecular morphology. Histological analyses were performed at week 8 to assess bone structure and mineral inclusions. Results: VEH animals with NaCl injections experienced marked bone loss, partially mitigated by ALN and PTH. HA2 injections increased BV/TV by factors of 2.5 to 3.4 across treatments compared to baseline, with effects confined to the injected material. HA2-ZOL amplified this response, with BV/TV increases up to 4.8-fold, particularly in VEH and PTH animals. The effects peaked at 2–4 weeks post-injection, followed by remodeling and restoration. Both local treatments increased trabecular thickness, with HA2-ZOL showing slower post-peak resorption. Discussion: HA2 injections significantly densified bone, independent of systemic therapy. Zoledronate in HA2-ZOL enhanced bone formation and delayed resorption in control and PTH animals, but offered no additional benefit when combined with systemic bisphosphonate. These findings support the hypothesis of an additive effect, suggesting that injectable hydrogels with localized drug delivery can complement systemic therapies by rapidly increasing local bone density, thereby potentially preventing fractures in high-risk osteoporotic patients.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.bone.2024.117373
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85212173970

Author(s)
Stadelmann, Vincent A.

Schulthess Klinik

Gerossier, Estelle  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Kettenberger, Ulrike

Flowbone SA

Pioletti, Dominique P.  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Date Issued

2025-03-01

Published in
Bone
Volume

192

Article Number

117373

Subjects

Bisphosphonates

•

Combination therapy

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Fracture prevention

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Hydrogel

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Local treatment

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Osteoporosis

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Rat model

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
CIBM-MRI  
LBO  
FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne

Swiss Innovation Agency

54723.1 IP-LS

Available on Infoscience
January 25, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/244333
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