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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published on: June 8, 2014
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase blocks osteoclastic bone resorption in adaptive bone modeling
R A Chole1, S P Tinling, E Leverentz
1Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110-1007, USA.
Abstract:
In this study, the auditory bulla of the gerbil was pressurized, leading to active modeling of the bone of the bulla wall with a significant increase in osteoclast surface and mineral apposition rate. Systemic infusion of L-N(G)-nitro-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inhibited this modeling process. The percentage osteoclast surface (Oc.S/BS) on the inner surface bulla wall was significantly reduced in the L-NAME-treated animals when compared with pressurized saline-treated bullae. Fluorescent bone surface (BSf) mineral apposition rates (MAR) and bone formation rate (BFR) were not significantly different in the pressurized bullae when the L-NAME group was compared with the control (vehicle only) group. However, L-NAME significantly suppressed BSf in the unpressurized bullae. Therefore, it is likely that nitric oxide is a mediator of osteoclastic resorption due to adaptive bone modeling through one or more of the isoforms of NOS.
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