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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Estrogen-Like Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsule in Ovariectomized Rats
Published on: April 7, 2023
Effects of fenoterol on the skeletal system depend on the androgen level
Leszek Śliwiński1, Urszula Cegieła1, Maria Pytlik1
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Background:
The role of sympathetic nervous system in the osseous tissue remodeling is not clear enough.
Methods:
The effects of fenoterol, a selective β2-adrenomimetic drug, on the skeletal system of normal and androgen deficient (orchidectomized) rats were studied in vivo. Osteoclastogenesis and mRNA expression in osteoblasts were investigated in vitro in mouse cell cultures.
Results:
Fenoterol administered to animals with physiological androgen level unfavorably affected the skeletal system, damaging the bone microarchitecture. Androgen deficiency induced osteoporotic changes, and fenoterol protected the osseous tissue from consequences of androgen deficiency. The results of in vitro studies correlated with the in vivo observations. A significantly increased number of osteoclasts in bone marrow cell cultures to which testosterone and fenoterol were added simultaneously was demonstrated. In cultures without the addition of testosterone, fenoterol significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis in comparison with control cultures.
Conclusions:
The results indicate the favorable action of fenoterol in conditions of testosterone deficiency, and its destructive influence upon the skeleton in the presence of androgens. The results confirm the key role of sympathetic nervous system in the regulation of bone remodeling.
Insights
Fenoterol, a sympathetic nervous system drug, damaged bone in normal rats but protected against bone loss in testosterone-deficient rats, highlighting its complex role in bone remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- The sympathetic nervous system's role in bone remodeling remains incompletely understood.
- Investigating the impact of beta-2 adrenergic agonists on skeletal health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of fenoterol on bone microarchitecture and remodeling.
- To determine fenoterol's impact in both normal and androgen-deficient states.
- To elucidate the drug's mechanism in osteoclastogenesis.
Main Methods:
- In vivo studies using normal and orchidectomized rats treated with fenoterol.
- In vitro investigation of osteoclastogenesis and mRNA expression in mouse osteoblast cell cultures.
- Analysis of bone microarchitecture and cellular responses.
Main Results:
- Fenoterol impaired bone microarchitecture in rats with normal androgen levels.
- In androgen-deficient rats, fenoterol mitigated osteoporosis-related bone damage.
- In vitro, fenoterol promoted osteoclastogenesis with testosterone but inhibited it without testosterone.
Conclusions:
- Fenoterol exhibits a dual effect on bone: detrimental in the presence of androgens and protective in their absence.
- These findings underscore the sympathetic nervous system's significant role in regulating bone remodeling.
- Fenoterol's differential effects suggest potential therapeutic applications in specific hormonal conditions.
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