CALCITONIN INHIBITS HETEROTOPIC BONE-FORMATION IN RATS

The effect of salmon calcitonin on heterotopic bone formation in rats was analysed. Thirty days after implantation of demineralized bone mat rix, the weights of implants from animals receiving calcitonin were re duced, in contrast to the increase shown in the untreated control grou p, in the control group, the implants were visible on roentgenograms a t the 20th day and histologic examination revealed new bone formation, whereas in the calcitonin-treated group the implants were never visib le on roentgenograms throughout the study and only remnants of implant s could be detected histologically. This study suggests that calcitoni n inhibits heterotopic bone formation in rats.