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Does colchicine really induce bone formation in the rodent bone marrow?
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biostructure, Medical Academy, 02-004 Warszawa, Chalubinskiego 5, Poland.
Calcified Tissue International
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Colchicine injection did not stimulate bone formation or resorption in mice and rats, contrary to previous claims. The drug caused bone marrow necrosis but no evidence of osteogenesis was observed.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Skeletal biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Previous studies suggested colchicine stimulates rapid bone formation and resorption.
- These findings were attributed to a research group from Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of colchicine on bone formation and resorption in mice and rats.
- To determine the reproducibility of previously reported osteogenic effects of colchicine.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous injection of a single dose of colchicine into BALB/c and CFW/L1 mice and WAG rats.
- Analysis of longitudinal, serial sections of long bones at various time points (2-26 days postadministration).
- Histological examination for evidence of osteogenesis and bone marrow status.
Main Results:
- Colchicine administration arrested metaphase within 4 hours postinjection.
- Noxious effects on hemopoietic tissue were observed, including bone marrow necrosis.
- No evidence of stimulated osteogenesis was found in any specimens at any time point.
Conclusions:
- The system of ectopic osteogenesis by colchicine injection is not reproducible in mice and WAG rats.
- The previously described osteogenic effect of colchicine may have been a misinterpretation, possibly related to congenital osteopetrosis.