OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical, biomechanical and histomorphometric effects of zoledronate in the humerus of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty female rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were prospectively evaluated. Within 60 days, animals were randomized into two groups: ovariectomy (O) (n=20) or sham surgery (P) (n=20). Within 90 days, groups "O" and "P" were subdivided into four groups, according to the administration of zoledronate (AZ) or deionized water (AD): OAZ (n=10), OAD (n=10), PAZ (n=10) and PAD (n=10). Within 15 months, animals were sacrificed. Body weight was used for clinical study, axial compression tests for the biomechanical study and cancellous bone area for the histomorphometric study. RESULTS: Ovariectomized groups had greater body weight gain than the sham groups (p=0.005). Zoledronate groups had greater body weight gain compared to the deionized water groups (p=0.68). Maximum load support was greater in the groups treated with zoledronate (p=0.02). An increase in cancellous bone area was noted in the groups treated with zoledronate (p=0.001). A positive correlation was shown in the evaluation of cancellous area and maximum load (p=0.04; r=0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Zoledronate had no effect on animals' body weight. Groups treated with zoledronate had increased maximum load support and cancellous bone area.
Osteoporosis; Menopause; Therapeutics; Biomechanics
