Ouabain effects on hormonally-stimulated bone resorption and cyclic AMP content in cultured fetal rat bones

Ouabain in concentrations from 20-100 micromoles produced a dose-related inhibition of in vitro stimulation of bone resorption by parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium ionophore A23187, as measured by 45Ca and [3H]-hydroxyproline release in 5-day cultures of fetal rat forelimb rudiments. The inhibitory effect on 45Ca release was completely reversed by subsequent incubation in ouabain-free medium. At a concentration of 100 micromoles ouabain virtually abolished active bone resorption; however, basal and stimulated bone cyclic AMP (cAMP) content were significantly increased above levels observed in the absence of ouabain. The increased cAMP content did not appear to be the result of phosphodiesterase inhibition. It is concluded that intact Na/K ATPase function is required for hormonally-stimulated bone resorptive processes and that the inhibitory effect of ouabain on bone resorption is produced at a point subsequent to cyclic AMP generation.