Effects of different frequencies of glucocorticoids on the soft tissues and the immune system in a model of osteoporosis / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate different frequencies of glucocorticoids (GCs) on the tissue in a model of osteoporosis. Methods Thirtytwo three-month-old SD female rats were randomly divided into four groups (1) the control group (group C); (2) the low-frequency group (group L); (3) the middle-frequency group (group M); (4)the high-frequency group (H). The rats in the group C were given intramuscular injection (im) of 0.9% saline. Im of dexamethasone (Dex) was 1 mg/(kg·time). Rats were given two times im a week in the group C, four times im a week in the group M, and six times im a week in the group H. Each rat was sacrificed on thirty days post-administration. Results (1)The body weight of rats gradually increased in the Ctrl group , however , the body weight of rats declined gradually during the experiment in the group L, M and H. The size of immune organs (spleen and thymus) significantly decreased in rats of the group L, M and H. (2)Compared with the group C, cell edema was changed in the heart, renal and lung morphological fatty degeneration in liver , atrophy in spleen , atrophy in lymphoid nodules , and cell edema in kidney tubular were observed. Conclusion GCs cause serious degradation in the thymus and atrophy of the spleen. Administration has different inhibitory effect on immune function; the high frequency will lead to strong inhibition.