Evaluation the effect of erythropoietin on osteoporosis in a microgravity simulation model

Bone loss is a well-documented phenomenon occurring in humans both in short- and long-term spaceflights. Revealing data on the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in bone formation has led some to suggest that EPO treatment could also play a role in protecting bone against microgravity-induced bone loss. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EPO administration on densitometric changes of femur of rat in a Microgravity Simulation Model (MSM). Twelve rats were divided into two groups: the tail-suspended control (TSC), and the tail-suspended group treated with rhEpo (TSE) (300 U/kg every 48 hours). The experiment lasted for 3 weeks. The animals were sacrificed, the right femur of each rat was removed, and bone mineral density was measured for each animal. Bone mineral density of whole femur in TSE group was significantly higher than TSC group (0.160±0.003 vs. 0.144±0.006, p=0.002). According to the results of this study, Erythropoietin administration might have protective effects against microgravity-induced mineral loss in a rat MSM.