Bone changes caused by experimental Solanum malacoxylon poisoning in rabbits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the bone abnormalities observed after a daily oral administration of the calcinogenic plant Solanum malacoxylon (Syn. S. glaucophyllum) (Sm) during 9 days. We found that Sm-poisoned rabbits had an increase in bone resoption areas in the endosteal surface of the cortical and an increase in bone resorption and also in the surface covered by osteoblasts in the primary and secondary spongiosa of the trabecular bone compartment. Moreover, the cartilage of the growth plate in long bones appeared narrower than control rabbits, with reduction of the proliferative and hyperthrophic chondrocytes zones. The electron microscopic study revealed a significant decrease in proteoglycans in the hyperthrophic chondrocytes zone by the evidence of a significant reduction in rutenium red positive granules in the intoxicated rabbit. Altogether, these data suggest that cell differentiation may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Sm-poisoned bone lesions.