Figure 5.

Acute effect of zoledronate on mechanical properties. (A) Zoledronate was administered to 16-week-old male C57/B6 male mice on two consecutive days after which femora were extracted and tested in 4-point bending. Work to failure was significantly lower in animals treated with 48 hours of zoledronate compared to control (n=10/gp). (B) Femoral bones from 16-week-old male C57/B6 male mice were soaked in situ in control (phosphate buffered saline) or zoledronic acid (100 μm concentration) in a 37-degree incubator for 48 hours (n=12 bones/condition). Bones were then subjected to mechanical testing. Work to failure was significantly lower in bones soaked in zoledronate compared to control (n=10/gp). Together, these data suggest bisphosphonates, through binding within the bone matrix, could be having a physical effect on bone mechanics. Both experiments were approved by the Indiana University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee prior to activity.