Comparative effect of Pennisetum glaucum and alendronate on biochemical and histological analyses of lumbar vertebrae and liver for rats fed cafeteria diet associated with glucocorticoid therapy

Glucocorticoid therapy causes serious side effects, including osteoporosis, growth delay, bone fragility, and increasing bone fractures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Pennisetum glaucum (AEPG) and alendronate (ALN) on lumbar vertebrae in rats fed cafeteria (CAF) diet associated with methylprednisolone (MPN), a glucocorticoid widly used in therapy. Thirty six Wistar rats were randomized into six groups of six animals each: control group received standard diet for rats; CAF group received cafeteria diet; CAF+MPN group received CAF+MPN (9 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal); CAF+AEPG group received CAF+AEPG (250 mg/kg ); CAF+MPN+AEPG group received (CAF, 9 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg respectively); CAF+MPN+ALN group (CAF, 9 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg respectively). After six weeks of treatment, animals were weighted and sacrificed. Lumber (L1) mineral content was assessed. Lumbar (L2-3) and liver serial sections of 5 μm thicknesses were cut for pathology. Our data showed that calcium and phosphorus content decreased in MPN groups. AEPG, CAF and ALN seem to correct glucocorticoid therapy phosphocalcic disorders. We found significant histopathological alterations signing a hepato-steatosis in both CAF and CAF+MPN groups; alterations healed by AEPG. The groups receiving CAF and MPN show bone loss, and decreased lumbar trabecular bone. In our research CAF+MPN+ALN and CAF+MPN+AEPG groups showed a greater improvement of lumbar trabecular bone. AEPG demonstrated, as well as ALN, a beneficial effect on bone fragility induced by methylprednisolone treatment. Pennisetum glaucum, an ethnopharmacological plant, may be used or associated in osteoporosis treatment and bone fragility prevention.