We investigated the effect of metoprolol on bone metabolism in rats. The control group (CON) was given aqua pro injectione (0.2 mL/100 g BW) and the study group received metoprolol (MET; 0.5 mg in 0.2 mL of aqua pro inj./100 g BW) in the form of a suspension for 8 weeks.
In the serum, a markers of bone turnover carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase bone isoenzyme and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen were assessed using ELISA. The tibia was used to measure BMP-2 by the Western blot.
Bone mineral density was measured by DXA. Mechanical resistance of bone tissue was tested on the femurs.
In the MET, resistance to pressure of the femoral neck decreased by 21 % after 8 weeks, as compared with the CON. Expression of BMP-2 in the bone increased.
The results suggest that metoprolol affects bone tissue in male rats by decreasing the resistance of bone tissue in the femoral neck and by increased expression of BMP-2 in the tibia.