Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy
Published on: December 9, 2015
Clinically relevant doses of tiludronate do not affect bone remodelling in pasture-exercised horses
Samantha P Tippen1,2, Corinne E Metzger1, Spencer A Sacks1
1Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Background:
Bisphosphonates are widely used in equine athletes to reduce lameness associated with skeletal disorders. Widespread off-label use has led to concern regarding potential negative effects on bone healing, but little evidence exists to support or refute this.
Objectives:
To investigate the influence of clinically relevant doses of tiludronate on bone remodelling and bone healing.
Study Design:
Randomised, controlled in vivo experiments.
Methods:
Each horse had a single tuber coxae biopsied (Day 0), then were divided into a treatment (IV tiludronate) or control (IV saline) group. Treatments were administered 30 and 90 days following initial biopsy. Biopsy of the tuber coxae was repeated on Day 60 to evaluate bone healing following a single treatment. Oxytetracycline was administered on Days 137 and 147 to label bone formation. The contralateral tuber coxae was biopsied on Day 150 to evaluate effects of repeated treatment. Bone biopsies were evaluated with micro-computed tomography and/or dynamic histomorphometry using standard techniques.
Results:
Nineteen horses completed the study, with no complications following the biopsies and treatments. No significant differences in the trabecular bone parameters or bone formation rate were observed between treatment groups.
Main Limitations:
The use of a first-generation bisphosphonate may mean some effects of these drugs are underrepresented using this model. The results pertain to the tuber coxae and may not reflect injury or the healing response that occurs in long bones in training or racing.
Conclusions:
In this model, tiludronate did not affect normal bone remodelling in the horse, despite repeat dosages.
More Related Videos
08:07Preparation of Herbal Medicine: Er-Xian Decoction and Er-Xian-containing Serum for In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments
Published on: May 31, 2017
04:24Proper Positioning and Restraint of a Rat Hind Limb for Focused High Resolution Imaging of Bone Micro-architecture Using In Vivo Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: November 22, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:11Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...