The Effect of Atorvastatin Calcium on the Cortical Bone Strength of Corticosteroid Treated Rabbits

INTRODUCTION Corticosteroid therapy is a well known etiological factor for the development of osteoporosis (“secondary” osteoporosis) and femoral head osteonecrosis. Recently, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (popularly known as statins) have been suggested as a treatment option to prevent the development of corticosteroid induced femoral head osteonecrosis [1-2]. The exact mechanism by which statins prevent the development of osteonecrosis is unknown. Patients on corticosteroids may also develop hyperlipidemia and require treatment with statins.