Comparative effects of Venlafaxine and Alendronate on Biochemical, Bone mechanical and Anti-inflammatory properties in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

The drug of choice in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis is alendronate. Antidepressive agents are currently used in combination with alendronate to protect against depression and may affect the condition of osteoporosis. The aim is to study the comparative effects of venlafaxine and alendronate on biochemical, bone mechanical and anti-inflammatory properties in osteoporotic induced rats. 36 female Wistar albino rats were included (6 rats/group). Treated groups were ovariectomized bilaterally to induce osteoporosis. Rats were treated orally with alendronate (3mg/kg/day) and venlafaxine (20mg/kg/day) and combined alendronate and venlafaxine for 28 days. Body weight, serum alkaline phosphates, serum calcium, three point bending test, bone mineral mass and inflammatory cytokines The induction of osteoporosis showed significant elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, decreased serum calcium, body weight, bone mineral mass and inflammatory cytokines. Venlafaxine treatment did not ameliorate the changes in tested parameters, where at end of the experiment alendronate has significant improved with serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium, bone mineral mass, bone mineral density. The improvement was not affected by combining venlafaxine with alendronate whereas the venlafaxine treatment alone caused a significant deterioration of tested parameters. Venlafaxine is an anti-depressive agent that inhibits brain serotonin which leads to decrease in bone formation. Hence, from the above findings the combination of alendronate and venlafaxine showed worsen the condition of osteoporosis rats.