The Effects of Organic Nitrates on Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density & Marrow Blood Perfusion in Ovariectomized Female Rats.

Yi-Xiang Wang¹, Min Deng¹, James F. Griffith¹

Recent evidences suggest that nitrates, drugs typically prescribed for the treatment of angina, may be effective in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the mechanism of how nitrates influence bone mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the relation among the effect of nitrates on bone marrow perfusion and bone mineral density in female ovariectomized rats. This study shows isosorbide-5-mononitrate orally administered 50 mg/kg per day b.i.d partially prevented the lumbar spine bone loss due to ovariectomy, and maintained the blood perfusion in lumbar vertebral marrow. Histology showed vertebral marrow composition reflected these changes.