Effect of dichloromethylene diphosphonate on morphology, enzyme activity, and ash content of bones of thyroparathyroidectomized rats.

Dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Cl2MDP) was given at doses of 4 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg daily for 7 days to adult thyroparathyroidectomized rats fed a low calcium diet. Primary metaphyseal trabeculae in Cl2MDP-treated rats were more numerous and longer than in controls. The light and electron microscopic appearance of osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts were unaltered by Cl2MDP. Bone alkaline phosphatase was significantly elevated in rats given Cl2MDP but adenosine triphosphatase activity was unchanged. Bone fat-free weight, fat-free minus ash weight, and bone calcium and phosphorus concentration were reduced significantly in rats given 10 mg/kg Cl2MDP compared to controls. Bone magnesium concentration was significantly elevated in rats given 10 mg/kg Cl2MDP. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentration were lower in Cl2MDP-treated rats. These results suggest that Cl2MDP is capable of altering bone remodeling, enzyme activity and mineral content, without significantly altering bone cell morphology, independent of the effects of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and dietary calcium.