Levodopa attenuates cellular apoptosis in steroid-associated necrosis of the femoral head

Xi, Hongbo; Tao, Weijian; Jian, Zhengguang; Sun, Xuefeng; Gong, Xiaohong; Huang, Lixin; Dong, Tianhua

The findings of the present study indicated that apoptotic bone cells were detected in the three groups, and the number of these apoptotic cells was significantly increased in group A compared with groups B and C. TUNEL assay analysis demonstrated that, 6 weeks after medication, the number of apoptotic bone cells of group A was 102.56±18.96%, which was significantly higher than group C 47.23±10.12%. As time increased to 8 weeks after treatment, the number of apoptotic bone cells increased further, was demonstrated to be positively correlated with the increasing empty bone lacuna. This phenomenon was most obvious in the subchondral area, which is consistent with the changing sites of empty bone lacuna, indicating that bone cellular apoptosis has an important role in early SANFH. These findings also suggested that hormones may increase the apoptosis of bone cells, thus affecting bone metabolism and bone mass changes.