Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect exerted by teriparatide on the repair of femoral metaphyseal defect in ovariectomized rats.
Method: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and after 3 months a critically sized defect of 3 mm in diameter-a through-hole bone defect-was drilled into each distal femur of the ovariectomized rats. The rats were injected with teriparatide (30 μg/kg) parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the peritoneum three times per week. After 4 and 8 weeks the animals were killed and the blood and bilateral femora were harvested for biochemical analysis, histopathological observation, and micro-computed tomography (CT) examination.
Results: The PTH group and control group were compared 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. PTH increased bone formation in the defect area. Moreover, PTH showed the strongest effects on bone volume per total volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, and total fluorescence-marked new bone area. Additionally, the PTH treatment group showed inhibited serum concentrations of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and enhanced expression of calcium, phosphorus, and bone alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a positive effect of PTH on defect healing in ovariectomized rats.
Keywords: Bone defect; Bone mineralization; Micro-computed tomography; New bone; Osteoporosis.