Nifedipine decreases bone quality in female rats with osteopenia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess, by biomechanical and physical parameters, the bone quality of femurs from ovariectomized female rats treated with nifedipine. Twenty eight Wistar female rats, 4 months old, were divided into four groups: intact (Int); intact treated with nifedipine (Int+Nfd); ovariectomized treated with saline (Ovx+Sal); ovariectomized treated with nifedipine (Ovx+Nfd). Treatment was carried out for eight weeks, six days per week, with administration of 10 mg of nifedipine or 0.1/100g BW of saline, by gavage. After removing the right femur of each animal, maximum load support, mineral density, and bone quality were assessed. Results were statistically analysed and significance level set at p<0.05. A significant reduction of maximal load support was found in femur of rats treated with nifedipine (Ovx+Nfd and Int+Nfd groups). In the latter group, a significant increase in mineral density was noticed. Results show that treatment with nifedipine resulted in lower bone quality.