Effect of nandrolone decanoate on healing of experimentally induced radial nonunion in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on treatment of bone nonunion in the radius of rabbits. Thirty-one, young adult, New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were allocated to one of four groups: nandrolone males (NMG), nandrolone females (NFG), placebo males (NPM), and placebo females (NPF). After bone nonunion of a 10 mm ostectomy of the radius was confirmed (45 days after surgery), the animals in the NMG and NFG groups received 10 mg/kg ND intramuscular once a week for four weeks, while placebo groups received intramuscular 0.9% NaCl solution. Radiographic, histopathologic, and densitometric parameters (DXA) were used to compared groups. ResultsNo significant differences were observed radiographically. However, ND groups showed greater area (P=0.0258) and BMC (P=0.0140) in the densitometric evaluation. Histologically, the placebo group showed a predominance of primary bone tissue. Whereas, lamellary organizations of secondary bone and the presence of fibrocartilage were found in the ND group (P =0.006). In conclusion, ND promoted bone regeneration after the creation of a large defect in the radius of rabbits.