Ameliorating effects of bovine colostrum on experimentally induced osteoporotic lumbar vertebrae in female albino rats: a histomorphomeric and scanning electron microscopic study.

Abstract

Background: Up till now there is no efficient preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of osteoporosis which constitutes a worldwide tragedy especially in women after menopause. Objectives: Is to investigate the ameliorating effect of the use of bovine colostrums in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Materials and methods: 90 female albino rats were divided into two main groups; a sham operated control group (30 rats) and an experimental group (60 rats). The experimental group was subdivided into 4 subgroups (15 rats each): Subgroup IIa, rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy and received daily IM injection of methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg BW) for 3 months; Subgroup IIb, ovx rats received methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg BW) and concomitantly received daily bovine colostrum (1 ml/day) for 3 months; Subgroup IIc ovx corticosteroid-treated rats left for further 3 months to reach 9 months old and Subgroup IId, ovx corticosteroid-treated rats received daily colostrum for 3 months. Lumbar vertebrae were exposed to X-ray and DEXA scan to assess bone densities. Decalcified specimens were processed for histomorphometric assessment as well as scanning electron microscopic evaluation of bone microarchitecture. Results: Induction of osteoporosis resulted in disruption of ossification zones and significant decrease in BMD. Prophylactic group showed marked improvement of BMD and restoration of bone microarchitecture. Therapeutic group showed reasonable restoration of bone architecture and decrease in percentage of bone loss. Conclusion: Colostrum significantly prevented bone derangement when used as a prophylactic and reasonably restored bone microarchitecture when used as therapeutic agent for treatment of osteoporosis.