The alteration of osteoclast morphology by diphosphonates in bone organ culture

Abstract

Two diphosphonates alter the morphology of the osteoclast, as they inhibit the calcium⁴⁵ release from bones stimulated to resorb by lipopolysaccharide. Disodium dichloromethylene diphosphonate was more potent than disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate in both inhibiting⁴⁵calcium release and altering osteoclast morphology. Alteration in the morphology of osteoclasts is associated with little or no change in the morphology of the surrounding non-osteoclast cells. These results indicate a specific morphological effect of diphosphonates on osteoclasts.