Histological study of the femur and the lumbar vertebrae inovariectomized adult albino rats following administration ofcollagen hydrosylate

IntroductionOsteoporosis is the most common skeletal disorder that has become a leading causeof morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its prophylaxis and therapy are still unresolvedchallenges.Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to investigate the possibility that collagen hydrosylate (CH)can ameliorate osteoporotic bone loss in ovariectomized rats with special referenceto bone mineral content (BMC), some biochemical parameters of bone turnover, andhistology.Materials and methodsForty adult female albino rats (180–200 g) were categorized into four equal groups:a sham-operated control group (group I), a sham-operated CH-treated group(group II), an ovariectomized group (group III), and a CH-treated ovariectomizedgroup (group IV). The experiment continued for 12 weeks. At its end, the animalswere sacrificed under anesthesia. Blood samples were collected for estimation ofserum calcium, osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and C-terminaltelopeptide of type I collagen (CTX). The left femora and lumbar vertebrae wereexcised for histological examination by H E and Gomori’s trichrome stains. The areapercentage of collagen was further assessed using an image analyzer. The right femurof each rat was used for BMC measurement by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis.ResultsIn sham-operated CH-treated rats (group II) there was no significant variationin bone turnover markers and BMC as compared with their respective controls.Normal bone microstructure was depicted as well. In group III rats, ovariectomy(OVX) was associated with enhanced bone turnover as depicted by significantdecrease in the mean value of serum calcium, whereas osteocalcin, bone-specificalkaline phosphatase, and CTX revealed significant increase compared with controls.Moreover, an evident reduction in bone calcium content was depicted in the femora ofthis group. Histologically, evidence of bone resorption was manifested in the femoraldiaphysis and lumbar vertebrae with multiple resorption cavities, irregularly erodedendosteal surface containing osteoclasts, and thinned out bone trabeculae alongwith wide bone marrow cavities. A significant decrease in bone collagen content ofboth cortical and trabecular bones was evidenced in trichrome-stained sections. Incontrast, CH administration after OVX (in group IV) reduced bone turnover markersand improved BMC as well as histological characteristics of examined bones ascompared with the OVX group.ConclusionThe study suggested that CH may be a potentially useful agent in preventing boneloss due to ovarian hormone deficiency.