[Experimental effects of olpadronate and pamidronate on bone mass]

Ovariectomy and immobilization in rats have demonstrated to be useful models for osteopenia and they are considered to mimic some aspects of human osteoporosis associated with a deficit of ovarian hormones and the absence of mechanical function (disuse of the bone). Pamidronate (APD) and Olpadronate (OLPA), a new dimethylated aminobisphosphonate, on a continuous oral scheme (APD: 8 and OLPA: 0.8 mg/kg/day) or on an intermittent parenteral scheme (APD: 1.25 and OLPA: 0.075 mg/kg every 15 days) did effectively prevent the trabecular bone loss caused by immobilization (unilateral sciaticectomy), by lack of ovarian stimuli (bilateral ovariectomy) or by both approaches. There were no signs of deterioration in the cortical bone mass. In a model of preestablished osteopenia, caused by estrogen deprivation, OLPA stopped the progression of the bone mass loss (0.5 mg/kg/i.v. every 15 days) and restored (0.30-0.60 mg/kg/i.v. every 15 days) the bone mineral density which had been affected (trabecular and cortical). The different activity of OLPA and APD on trabecular and cortical regions of long bones seems to accompany their different responses because of negative stimulus: better responses were more evident in the trabecular bone which proved to be more labile. In these "in vivo" models of OLPA's efficacy was similar to APD's but it was roughly 5-10 times more potent. OLPA has a high safety margin. Therefore, it could advantageously be used in those bone diseases which benefit with the use of bisphosphonates.