THE RADIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OFRALOXIFENE, NITRIC-OXIDE AND ESTROGEN ON SCOLIOSIS: ABIPEDAL C57BL6 MICE MODEL

Abstract

Objective: Raloxifene (RLX), estrogen and nitric oxide (NO) medications were showed to be related to scoliosis, but the complex mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The prevention and non-surgical treatment of scoliosis may be achieved with these drugs since they are safe for use in humans. We aimed to investigate the effects of oestrogen, RLX and NO on scoliosis progression, bone mineral density and sagittal plan deformities.Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-two C57BL6 mice were grouped into bipedal Estrogen, bipedal RLX, bipedal NO, bipedal control and quadrupedal control groups. All of the animals’ forelimbs and tails were amputated, except for the quadrupedal group (n=28), and followedup for five weeks. Estrogen, NO and RLX groups received orally administered Estrogen, NO and RLX after the $5^th$ week for 35 weeks. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray imaging were done at the$5^th$, $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks and bone mineral density measurements were done at the $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks.Results: There was no significant difference in mean Cobb angles between the groups at the fifth, $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks (p=0.917, p=0.066, p=0.562, respectively). In contrast, a significant increase in mean Cobb angles was found in the quadrupedal group between the $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks. In addition, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of scoliosis incidence at the fifth and $20^th$ weeks (p=1.000, p=0.132, respectively). However, when the scoliosis progression was investigated, a decreasing tendency was found in the RLX group compared to the other groups. Although there was a decreasing tendency in terms of the thoracic kyphosis angles and pelvic incidence between the $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks in all groups, no statistical difference was found. Spinosacral angles increased significantly between the $20^th$ and $40^th$ weeks in all groups, except the quadrupedal group. There was a significant increase of the bone mineral density in the RLX group (p=0.041). Conclusion: RLX may decrease scoliosis progression in a C57BL/6 mice model and increase the bone mineral density. Unlike previous studies, the quadrupedal mice group had a tendency to increase scoliosis progression between the $20^th$ and $40^th$weeks