Partial inhibition of bone resorption by disodium cromoglycate in a synchronized model of bone remodeling

In a previous study we observed that mast cell degranulation might be associated to bone resorption. To verify this assumption, the efficiency of cromoglycate was assessed on a synchronized sequence of bone remodeling induced in male Wistar rats along the mandibular cortex. After 4 days (time of osteoclastic peak in this model), cromoglycate (15/mg/kg and 30 mg/kg/d per os) decreased the number of degranulating mast cells, especially in the population adjacent to the bone surface. Concomitantly the extent of resorption surface was decreased vs untreated animals. Active osteoclasts were lower whereas the total number of osteoclasts (both active and inactive) was not statistically modified. The mean osteoclast-bone interface was not modified. No dose effect was found. These data indicate that mast cell degranulation is involved in the events leading to osteoclast resorption, presumably in the mechanisms providing osteoclast access to bone surface.