Effects of vitamin D3 and methylenebisphosphonate on immune system of rats at disuse osteoporosis

Abstract

Disuse osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that develops due to insufficient physical activity, in particular, as the result of aging process. The study was designed to examine changes in cellular and humoral immunity associated with experimental disuse osteoporosis and to assess the efficacy of vitamin D3 and methylenebisphosphonate treatment. It was found that the disuse osteoporosis, in addition to impairments in bone tissue, is accompanied by significant alterations in the immune system. Marked suppression of B-cell immunity, decrease in number of active phagocytic granulocytes and monocytes, and their ability to produce antibacterial biooxidants (reactive oxygen species) were established. More profound effect of vitamin D3 on phagocytic function whereas methylenebisphosphonate was shown to be more effective on humoral immune defense. The effectiveness of combined use of vitamin D3 and methylenebisphosphonate was demonstrated.

Keywords

• disuse osteoporosis
• vitamin d3
• metylenebisphosphonate
• phagocytosis
• immunoglobulins