Pamidronate alters the growth plate in the oim mouse model for osteogenesis imperfecta

Bisphosphonates alleviate bone pain and fractures associated with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Using the oim mouse model to simulate variations in OI severity, the effect of pamidronate on bone growth was assessed. Homozygous (oim/oim) and heterozygous (oim/wt) mice from 4 to 12 weeks of age were given pamidronate at 0 mg/kg/wk (control), 1.25 mg/kg/wk (low) and 2.5 mg/kg/wk (high). Humerus and ulna lengths were reduced in oim/oim mice relative to those of the oim/wt. Further, the oim/oim genotype exhibited a 23.5% prevalence of fractures in these bones as compared to the 2.8% prevalence observed in the oim/wt mice. Pamidronate tended to reduce fracture prevalence in a dose dependent manner for the oim/oim genotype (p<0.08) but had no effect on the low fracture prevalence in oim/wtmice. The high dose of pamidronate reduced bone length in females of both genotypes but not males when compared to control (p<0.01). Pamidronate increased growth plate area (p<0.05) by increasing growth plate height, particularly the proliferative and hypertrophic zones, in both genotypes indicating reduced growth plate cell turnover. The increased area coincided with increased osteoclast numbers in the metaphyseal region (p<0.05) though when corrected for the greater mineralized surface area that accompanies bisphosphonate treatment, osteoclasts per surface area were reduced indicating reduced resorptive capacity. This study demonstrated that the effects of pamidronate were independent of the degree of collagen deficit and fracture prevalence was improved in the most severe OI model, the oim/oim genotype.