Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025
The Creation of a Rat Model for Osteosarcopenia via Ovariectomy
Published on: February 21, 2025
Treatment of osteoporosis using a selective androgen receptor modulator ostarine in an orchiectomized rat model
K O Böker1, M Komrakova2, L Fahrendorff2
1Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. kai.boeker@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Purpose:
The selective androgen receptor modulator ostarine has been shown to have advantageous effects on skeletal tissue properties, reducing muscle wasting and improving physical function in males. However, data on effects in male osteoporosis remain limited. In this study, the effects of ostarine on osteoporotic bone were evaluated in a rat model of male osteoporosis and compared with those of testosterone treatments.
Methods:
Eight-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were either non-orchiectomized to serve as a healthy control (Non-Orx, Group 1) or orchiectomized (Orx, Groups 2-6) and then grouped (n = 15/group): (1) Non-Orx, (2) Orx, (3) Ostarine Therapy, (4) Testosterone Therapy, (5) Ostarine Prophylaxis and (6) Testosterone Prophylaxis. Prophylaxis treatments started directly after orchiectomy and continued for 18 weeks, whereas Therapy treatments were initiated 12 weeks after Orx. Ostarine and Testosterone were applied orally at daily doses of 0.4 and 50 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The lumbar vertebral bodies and femora were analyzed using biomechanical, micro-CT, ashing, and gene expression analyses.
Results:
Ostarine Prophylaxis showed positive effects in preventing osteoporotic changes in cortical and trabecular bone (femoral trabecular density: 26.01 ± 9.1% vs. 20.75 ± 1.2% in Orx and in L4: 16.3 ± 7.3% vs 11.8 ± 2.9% in Orx); biomechanical parameters were not affected; prostate weight was increased (0.62 ± 0.13 g vs 0.18 ± 0.07 g in Orx). Ostarine Therapy increased solely the cortical density of the femur (1.25 ± 0.03 g/cm3 vs. 1.18 ± 0.04 g/cm3 in Orx); other bone parameters remained unaffected. Testosteron Prophylaxis positively influenced cortical density in femur (1.24 ± 0.05 g/cm3 vs. 1.18 ± 0.04 g/cm3 in Orx); Test. Therapy did not change any bony parameters.
Conclusion:
Ostarine Prophylaxis could be further investigated as a preventative treatment for male osteoporosis, but an androgenic effect on the prostate should be taken into consideration, and combination therapies with other anti-osteoporosis agents could be considered.
Insights
Ostarine prophylaxis shows promise in preventing bone loss in male osteoporosis models. However, potential prostate effects warrant further investigation and consideration for combination therapies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) like ostarine offer skeletal benefits.
- Limited data exists on SARMs for male osteoporosis treatment.
- Ostarine's effects on bone density and structure in a male osteoporosis model require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of ostarine in preventing and treating bone loss in a rat model of male osteoporosis.
- To compare the effects of ostarine with testosterone treatments on bone parameters.
- To assess the impact of ostarine and testosterone on bone biomechanics, micro-architecture, and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent orchiectomy to induce osteoporosis.
- Groups received either ostarine or testosterone treatments (prophylaxis or therapy).
- Bone analysis included biomechanical testing, micro-CT, ashing, and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Ostarine prophylaxis significantly improved bone density in vertebrae and femora, preventing osteoporotic changes.
- Ostarine therapy showed a modest increase in femoral cortical density.
- Testosterone prophylaxis enhanced femoral cortical density, while testosterone therapy had no significant effect on bone parameters.
Conclusions:
- Ostarine prophylaxis demonstrates potential as a preventative strategy for male osteoporosis.
- Androgenic effects on the prostate necessitate careful consideration with ostarine use.
- Combination therapies involving ostarine with other agents may offer enhanced anti-osteoporosis benefits.
