Anabolic steroids reduce spinal cord injury-related bone loss in rats associated with increased Wnt signaling

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2013 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000020 · Published: January 1, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) lead to bone loss, especially in the legs. This study investigated whether nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, could reduce bone loss in rats after SCI. The researchers found that nandrolone attenuated bone loss in rats after SCI. This suggests that anabolic steroids might help prevent bone loss in people with SCI. Nandrolone appears to work by affecting the activity of cells that build (osteoblasts) and break down (osteoclasts) bone, possibly through a signaling pathway called Wnt signaling.

Study Duration

56 days

Participants

Male Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SCI reduced distal femoral and proximal tibial bone mineral density (BMD) by 25 and 16%, respectively, at 56 days.
2
Nandrolone attenuated this bone loss after SCI, increasing BMD in the affected regions compared to the SCI-vehicle group.
3
Nandrolone modulates genes for differentiation and activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, at least in part, through the activation of Wnt signaling.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, on bone loss in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that nandrolone attenuated bone loss after SCI, suggesting that it could be a potential therapy for SCI-related bone loss. The proposed mechanism involves nandrolone modulating genes for osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation and activity, potentially through Wnt signaling activation.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapy for SCI Bone Loss

Nandrolone may offer a therapeutic approach to mitigate the rapid and severe bone loss experienced by individuals with motor-complete SCI, which is often refractory to bisphosphonates.

Understanding SCI Bone Loss Mechanisms

The study elucidates a potential mechanism by which androgens, like nandrolone, reduce bone loss after SCI through the activation of Wnt signaling.

Clinical Relevance in Hypogonadal SCI Patients

Given the prevalence of hypogonadism in men with SCI, particularly soon after injury, this study provides rationale for androgen therapy to counteract bone loss exacerbated by hormonal imbalances.

Study Limitations

1
Nandrolone did not restore normal bone mass after SCI.
2
Whether nandrolone can reverse bone loss that occurred during the first 28 days after injury remains undetermined.
3
The study only examined male rats, limiting generalizability to females.

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