Histomorphology of Bone and Use of Corticosteriods: Does Dose and Duration Matter? A Prospective Study on Wistar Rats

Steroid Osteoporosis has been an area of concern over the years. Despite their great clinical usefulness, unwanted effects are likely to occur especially with large doses and prolonged administration. They cause a reduction in the mass of the bone by reducing the number of bone forming cells and by causing alterations in calcium absorption and renal handling of calcium. . 20% of all cases of osteoporosis have been attributed to glucocorticoid exposure. Materials and Methods: The materials used in this study include; the subjects (Wistar rats), the drug (hydrocortisone), decalcifying fluid, alcohol, pure xylene, paraffin wax, haematoxylin and eosin stains. This study was carried out on sixteen Wistar rats, four of which were used as controls while twelve were used for the experiment. Hydrocortisone was administered intramuscularly in therapeutic and double therapeutic doses to the experimental models and sections of bone taken for study. Results: The sections of bones taken showed a reduction in the size of the harvesian system and varying degree of proliferation of the osteoclasts according to duration and dose. Conclusion: Although corticosteroids are therapeutically effective, their use is associated with certain complications on different organs and systems of the body. It was observed in this study that they cause a reduction of the harvesian systems of bone and proliferation of the osteoclasts. Also, these effects are increased by large doses and prolonged administration with osteoporotic potentials. Future work on this will be on concomitant use of osteoporotic medications and their safety profile.