Effects of a new selective estrogen receptor modulator (MDL 103,323) on cancellous and cortical bone in ovariectomized ewes: a biochemical, histomorphometric, and densitometric study.

The aims of this study performed in ewes were: (1) to confirm in this animal model the effects on bone of ovariectomy (OVX) alone or associated with Lentaron (L), a potent peripheral aromatase inhibitor, used to amplify the effects of OVX and (2) to evaluate the effects of a new selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM; MDL 103,323) on bone remodeling. Thirty-nine old ewes were divided into five groups: sham (n = 7); OVX (n = 8); OVX + L (n = 8); OVX + L + MDL; 0.1 mg/kg per day (n = 8); and OVX + L + MDL 1 mg/kg per day (n = 8). The animals were treated for 6 months. Biochemical markers of bone turnover (urinary excretion of type 1 collagen C-telopeptide [CTX], serum osteocalcin [OC], and bone alkaline phosphatase [BAP]) were measured each month. Bone biopsy specimens were taken at the beginning and after death at the end of the experiment. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on the lumbar spine and femur. OVX induced a significant increase in biochemical markers. This effect was the highest after 3 months for CTX (+156% vs. sham) and after 4 months for OC and BAP (+74% and +53% vs. sham, respectively). L tended to amplify the effect of OVX on OC and BAP. OVX induced significant increases in the porosity, eroded, and osteoid surfaces in cortical bone but no effect was observed in cancellous bone. MDL treatment reduced the bone turnover as assessed by bone markers, which returned to sham levels as well as histomorphometry both in cortical and in cancellous bone. Cancellous osteoid thickness decreased by 27% (p < 0.05), mineralizing perimeter by 81% (p < 0.05), and activation frequency by 84% (p < 0.02) versus OVX + L. Femoral and spinal BMD were increased by MDL and tended to return to the sham values. The effects of OVX on bone turnover were different on cortical and cancellous bone. These effects on cortical bone were reflected by changes in biochemical markers. MDL markedly reduces bone turnover and increases BMD suggesting that this new agent may prevent postmenopausal bone loss.