Evaluation of the anti-osteoporotic effect of Ginkgo biloba L. in Wistar rats with glucocorticoid-induced-osteoporosis by bone densitometry using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and mechanical testing

ABSTRACT Evaluate the effect of the extract of Ginkgo biloba in the bone alkaline phosphatase, bone mineral density, in the mechanical properties of the tibia in rats with glucocorticoid-induced-osteoporosis. After osteoporosis induction, the rats were divided into five groups: Osteoporosis; EGb1 (28 mg/Kg); EGb2 (56 mg/Kg); alendronate (0.2 mg/animal) and control. The animals were treated during 20 and 30 days. The control group was compared with the osteoporosis's (Student's t-test), while the other were analyzed by ANOVA test followed by Tukey/Dunnett'T3 (p<0.05). In the osteoporosis group the bone alkaline phosphatase, bone mineral density, the bone stiffness, the maximum load and the resilience were reduced. The bone alkaline phosphatase values increased in the EGb1 and EGb2 groups (30 days). In addition, in the EGb2 and alendronate groups (20 and 30 days) the bone mineral density increased. The extract of Ginkgo biloba restored bone alkaline phosphatase and bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Effect of body mass index on bone mineral density.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator for measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) which measures the density of minerals present in the bones using a special scan. BMD can be used to assess the strength of bones. Osteoporosis is a natural phenomenon of wear and tear. Obesity is an independent risk factor for low BMD. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the most accurate way to measure BMD. DEXA is a gold standard technique for diagnosing osteoporosis. Hence the current study was designed to study the effect of BMI on BMD. Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted on the patients who were referred to the Department of Radio diagnosis for DEXA scan were selected. Eighty 50-80 years old men who attended various departments were included. BMI was measured as weight in kilograms by height in meters square. BMD was assessed by DEXA scan. Results: Eighty men in the age group of 50-80 (62.46 ± 7.63) years were included in the study. All men underwent a standard BMD scans of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) using a DEXA scan. BMI (28.1 ± 4.93) kg/m2 shows a highly significant positive correlation with BMD (171 ± -1.76 ± 1.71) SD, r = 0.53 p<0.01. Conclusions: The results suggest lower BMI is an important risk factor for the occurrence of low BMD. BMD can be used for screening test for osteoporosis.