Do effects of propranolol on the skeletal system depend on the estrogen status?

BACKGROUND Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, was reported to favorably affect the skeletal system in different animal models. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the effects of propranolol on the skeletal system depend on the estrogen status. METHODS The in vivo experiments were carried out on the following groups of mature female Wistar rats: sham-operated control rats, sham-operated rats receiving propranolol, ovariectomized (OVX) control rats, OVX rats receiving propranolol, OVX rats receiving estradiol, OVX rats receiving estradiol and propranolol. Propranolol hydrochloride (10 mg/kg po) and/or estradiol (0.1 mg/kg po) were administered daily for 4 weeks. Bone mass, mineral and calcium content, macrometric and histomorphometric parameters, and mechanical properties were examined. In vitro, effects of estradiol and propranolol on the formation of mouse osteoclasts and on the mRNA expression of genes related to osteoclastogenesis, bone formation and mineralization, as well as adrenergic and estrogen signalling in mouse osteoblasts were investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Propranolol exerted some favorable effects on the rat skeletal system in vivo, independently of the estrogen status. However, in vitro studies indicated a possibility of some antagonistic relations between the estradiol and propranolol effects.