The protective role of vitamins C and E in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis: An experimental study in rats.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) can effectively protect the femoral head and reduce the risk of developing osteonecrosis in rats that have been treated with steroids.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 30 young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (mean weight: 356±18 g; range, 330 to 375 g), which were randomly assigned to one of five groups. The control group received saline solution, while the other groups were given lipopolysaccharide/methylprednisolone (LPS/MPS) to induce osteonecrosis. Three groups in which osteonecrosis was induced were also intraperitoneally administered either VC, VE, or both once a day for four weeks. Intracardiac blood samples were taken at the end of the fourth week for biochemical examination, and the rats were then sacrificed under general anesthesia. After sacrification, right femurs were removed for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and radiologic examinations.

Results: The results showed that the mean trabecular number increased significantly in the VC+VE group. There was a substantial decrease observed in the mean trabecular separation within the LPS/MPS group compared to the control group, although trabecular separation decreased in all three vitamin groups compared to the LPS/MPS group. The surface area/bone volume was significantly increased in the VC+VE group compared to the LPS/MPS group. Histological, immunohistochemical, and radiological examinations showed that the administration of VC and VE significantly reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction in rats with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis.

Conclusion: This study suggests that VC, VE, and particularly VC+VE have a protective effect on the femoral head in rats with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis. These findings may lead to new treatment options for patients.