Human parathyroid hormone (1–34) and (1–84) increase the mechanical strength and thickness of cortical bone in rats

An anabolic effect on bone of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment has been found in patients with osteoporosis and also in experimental animals. Controversies exist, however, about whether the positive effect on the trabecular bone balance occurs at the expense of the cortical bone. We examined the biomechanical quality of cortical bone after intermittent treatment with different doses of PTH and, furthermore, compared the effects of PTH‐(1–34) and PTH‐(1–84). Groups of rats were treated with biosynthetic human PTH‐(1–34) or PTH‐(1–84), 1.1, 3.3, 10, or 30 nmol/kg/day for 30 days. No changes in the body weights and no changes in the lengths of the femora were observed after the PTH treatments. The bio‐mechanical properties were analyzed by means of a materials‐testing machine. A dose‐related increase in the bending strength and stiffness of the femora was found, and this increase in mechanical strength corresponds with a 9–12% increase in the cross‐sectional area of the femoral diaphyses. The deflection capability and energy absorption were not influenced by any of the PTH treatments. No differences were found between the effects of PTH‐(1–34) or PTH‐(1–84) on the biomechanical properties of the femora. Consequently, intermittent treatment with biosynthetic PTH‐(1–34) or PTH‐(1–84) increased the formation of cortical bone, and the biomechanical competence of the femora was found to be preserved.