![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic disease experienced by elderly individuals. It is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Postmenopausal Osteoporosis is by far the most common cause of age related bone loss. Menopause results in elevated bone turnover, an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption and net bone loss. Postmenopausal osteoporosis has become a major problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Estrogen replacement therapy is approved for the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women and is effective in reducing the incidence of skeletal fractures. However, estrogen use and compliance are limited due to its numerous undesirable side effects such as uterine and breast cancer. Hence, it would be most helpful to explore other substances that could prevent bone loss and free from estrogen adverse effects. Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide (GHRP-6) is one of the synthetic GH secretagogues which are potent stimulators of GH release. However, a limited number of studies have shown its potential role in bone tissue. In a trial to evaluate the effect of GHRP-6 on bone mass and the possibility of preventing progression of osteoporosis, the present study was conducted on 40 adult female albino rats of local strain that were subdivided from the second day after bilateral ovariectomy (except the control group) into the following four groups of 10 rats each:- Samples of blood were taken from all rats at the end of experiment (6 weeks after ovariectomy). The blood samples were transformed into centrifuge tubes. They were then centrifuged for 20 minutes (3000 r.p.m) for separation of serum which was stored at - 20°C until analysed for calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. Femur length, bone weight, dry weight, ash weight, organic matrix weight and femoral bone content of calcium and phosphorus. |