Effects of alpha-escin on histomorphometrical parameters of long bones in rats with experimental post-steroid osteopenia.

The excess of glucocorticosteroids leads to the development of osteopenia. A decreased bone formation rate and an increased bone resorption rate are observed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-escin on the experimental prednisolone-induced osteopenia. The experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats with initial body weight of 240-310 g, divided into 4 groups (n = 6): Control, Alpha-escin, Prednisolone, Prednisolone + alpha-escin. Prednisolone (5 mg/kg im daily) and/or alpha-escin (100 mg/kg po daily) were administered for 28 days. Transverse cross-section surfaces of the cortical diaphysis and of the marrow cavity in the tibia, transverse growth, width of endosteal and periosteal osteoid, thickness of trabeculae and width of epiphyseal cartilage were examined. Prednisolone administration caused osteopenic changes in rat bones. Alpha-escin administered to the control rats did not exert statistically significant influence on the investigated bone parameters. Alpha-escin administration to prednisolone-treated rats slightly reduced the unfavorable effects of prednisolone on width of periosteal and endosteal osteoid and periosteal transverse growth in the tibia.