Effects of combined treatment with ibandronate and pulsed electromagnetic field on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats

Ibandronate (IBN) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) have each shown positive effects for treating osteoporosis, but no study has evaluated the relative effects of these treatments combined. This study investigated the effects of IBN+PEMF on bone turnover, mineral density, microarchitecture, and biomechanical properties in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis. Fifty 3-month-old rats were randomly apportioned to receive a sham-operation (n=10), or ovariectomy (n=40). The latter group was equally divided as the model (OVX control) or to receive IBN, PEMF, or IBN+PEMF. Beginning the day after surgery, the IBN and IBN+PEMF groups received weekly subcutaneous IBN; the PEMF and IBN+PEMF groups were given daily PEMF during the same 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of treatments, biochemical parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), microarchitecture parameters, biomechanical properties, and some metabolic modulators that are involved in bone resorption were compared. The L5 lumbar vertebral body BMDs of the IBN, PEMF, and IBN+PEMF groups were 121.6%, 119.5%, and 139.6%; maximum loads were 111.4%, 112.7%, and 121.9%; and energy to failure was 130.8%, 129.2%, and 154.9% of the OVX model, respectively. The IBN+PEMF group had significantly lower levels of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, and greater improvement in BMD, bone microarchitecture, and strength of the lumbar spine compared with monotherapy groups. Results showed that IBN+PEMF had a more favorable effect on the lumbar spine in this osteoporosis model than did either monotherapy. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:31-40, 2017. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.