Experimentally induced heterotopic ossification in rats influenced by anti-inflammatory drugs

This paper reports the effects of peroral administration of the two non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and flubiprofen on orthotopic and induced heterotopic bone. The treatment induced no effects on the mineral or hydroxyproline contents of femur compared with a control group. Nor could any generalized toxic effects of the treatment be detected with respect to bodyweights or serum values of calcium, phosphate or albumin. Treatment with the drugs was commenced one week before initiating the heterotopic bone formation by implanting pieces of demineralized bone matrix in the abdominal muscle of growing rats. A significant decrease in specific amounts of calcium and phosphate was noted in the induced new-formed bone 4 weeks after implantation, whereas no such effect was apparent 2 weeks after implantation.