Strontium Ranelate Enhances Callus Strength More Than PTH 1-34 in an Osteoporotic Rat Model of Fracture Healing

Treatment of an underlying disease is often initiated after the occurrence of an osteoporotic fracture. Our aim was to investigate whether teriparatide (PTH 1-34) and strontium ranelate affect fracture healing in ovariectomized (OVX) rats when provided for the first time after the occurrence of an osteoporotic fracture. We combined the model of an OVX rat with a closed diaphyseal fracture. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Fracture healing in OVX rats after treatment with pharmacological doses of strontium ranelate and PTH 1-34 was compared with OVX and sham-treated control groups. After 28 days, the femur was excised and scanned by micro computed tomography and the callus evaluated, after which biomechanical torsional testing was performed and torque and toughness until reaching the yield point were analyzed. Only treatment with strontium ranelate led to a significant increase in callus resistance compared to the OVX control rats, whereas both PTH 1-34 and strontium ranelate increased the bone volume/tissue volume ratio of the callus. The PTH 1-34–increased trabecular bone volume within the callus was even higher compared to sham. As for the callus tissue volume, the increase induced by strontium ranelate was significant, contrary to the changes induced by PTH. Callus in strontium ranelate–treated animals is more resistant to torsion compared with OVX control rats. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the enhancement of fracture healing by strontium ranelate. Because both treatments enhance bone and tissue volume within the callus, there may be a qualitative difference between the calluses of PTH 1-34– and strontium ranelate–treated OVX rats. The superior results obtained with strontium ranelate compared to PTH in terms of callus resistance could be the consequence of a better quality of the new bone formed within the callus.