Cortisone induced bone changes and its response to lipid clearing agents.

Thirty-two rabbits were used experimentally to study the effect of cortisone in bone, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Cortisone does induce abnormal increases in the serum cholesterol, fatty metamorphosis of the liver and the fatty emboli of the subchondral vessels of the femoral heads. Clofibrate therapy appeared to modify the cortisone induced changes as evidenced by a lower serum cholesterol level, prevention or lessening of the increase in the marrow fat cell size. This might significantly improve microcirculation of the femoral head.