We analysed the effects of commonly used medications on human osteoblastic cell activity in vitro, specifically proliferation and tissue mineralisation. A list of medications was retrieved from the records of patients aged > 65 years filed in the database of the largest health maintenance organisation in our country (> two million members). Proliferation and mineralisation assays were performed on the following drugs: rosuvastatin (statin), metformin (antidiabetic), metoprolol (β-blocker), citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI]), and omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor (PPI)). All tested drugs significantly stimulated DNA synthesis to varying degrees, with rosuvastatin 5 µg/ml being the most effective among them (mean 225% (sd 20)), compared with metformin 10 µg/ml (185% (sd 10)), metoprolol 0.25 µg/ml (190% (sd 20)), citalopram 0.05 µg/ml (150% (sd 10)) and omeprazole 0.001 µg/ml (145% (sd 5)). Metformin and metoprolol (to a small extent) and rosuvastatin (to a much higher extent) inhibited cell mineralisation (85% (sd 5)). Our results indicate the need to evaluate the medications prescribed to patients in terms of their potential action on osteoblasts. Appropriate evaluation and prophylactic treatment (when necessary) might lower the incidence and costs associated with potential medication-induced osteoporosis.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1575–80.

Colchicine is often used in the treatment of diseases such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and gout. We have previously reported that patients with FMF who had colchicine on a daily basis and who had a total hip arthroplasty showed no heterotopic ossification after surgery. The mechanism by which colchicine causes this clinical phenomenon has never been elucidated. We therefore evaluated the effect of various concentrations of colchicine on cell proliferation and mineralisation in tissue culture, using rat and human cells with and without osteogenic potential. Cell proliferation was assessed by direct cell counts and uptake of (³H)thymidine, and mineralisation by measuring the amount of staining by Alizarin Red.

Our findings indicate that concentrations of colchicine of up to 3 ng/ml did not affect cell proliferation but inhibition was observed at 10 to 30 ng/ml. Mineralisation decreased to almost 50%, which was the maximum inhibition observed, at concentrations of colchicine of 2.5 ng/ml. These results indicate that colchicine at low concentrations, of up to 3 ng/ml, has the capacity to inhibit selectively bone-like cell mineralisation in culture, without affecting cell proliferation. Further clinical and laboratory studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of colchicine on biological processes involving the proliferation of osteoblasts and tissue mineralisation in vivo, such as the healing of fractures, the formation of heterotopic bone and neoplastic bone growth.