Possible participation of EDRF-NO in the hormonal regulation of bone blood flow in rats.

An increase in bone blood flow (BBF) was observed in rats after castration whereas a decrease in BBF occurred after oestradiol or testosterone. The possible participation of prostaglandins in these changes was demonstrated. The present results show that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, i. e. nitric oxide (EDRF-NO), might play a role in these hormonal actions on BBF. Until now, almost nothing is known about the possible action of NO on bone circulation. Methylene blue (MB) as a substance blocking EDRF-NO was administered to sham-operated or oophorectomized (OOX) female rats. We determined local blood flow (85Sr-microsphere uptake), cardiac output, blood pressure, heart rate, density of the tibia and ash weight, as well as 24-h incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline into the tibia. The administration of MB (0.5% in the food for 4 weeks) significantly lowered both 85Sr-microsphere uptake and blood flow values in the tibia and distal femur of sham-operated and OOX rats. MB lowered cardiac output and blood pressure to the same extent, indicating no change in the vascular resistance. After the administration of MB (0.1% in the food), 85Sr-microsphere uptake decreased significantly in the tibia of OOX females while no significant change was found in soft tissues. Bone density and ash weight were significantly lower in OOX rats and in sham-operated rats after MB treatment. Finally, the 24-h incorporation of both 45Ca and 3H-proline decreased significantly in OOX females after MB administration (0.04% in the food). It can be concluded that 1) MB lowers BBF, suggesting the participation of EDRF-NO in BBF regulation, 2) MB does not influence or may even suppress cardiac output and blood pressure in high dosage, 3) MB lowers 24-hour incorporation of 45Ca and 3H-proline into the tibia of OOX rats, which is in agreement with the circulatory effect, 4) MB lowers bone density and ash weight of the tibia in non-castrated female rats. The effects of MB observed in our experiments partially differ from those of arginine-derived blocking agents. This requires further elucidation.