The changes in bone organic and inorganic matrix in newborn rats after maternal application of antiretroviral agents: Indinavir and zidovudine

This work presents results concerning influence of indinavir (protease inhibitor, PI1) and zidovudine (nucleoside and nucleotide inhibitor of reverse transcriptase, NRTI) administered to pregnant Wistar rat females on organic and mineral constituents of bones and teeth (mandibles, skulls, tibiae, femurs, and incisors) of their offspring at the age of: 7, 14, and 28 days studied by means of induced laser and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy supported by digital radiography. Influence of indinavir administered to pregnant female rats on bone of their offspring revealed mainly in changes of mineral concentration: lowered Ca concentration and disturbances of trace elements. Zidovudine influenced organic matter more than inorganic matrix which was seen in enhancement of LIF fluorescence. However, there was also an unexpected increase of bone density for rats from zidovudine group, unlike indinavir group, observed. Our studies suggest that studied antiretroviral agents given to pregnant women, may have different destructive impact on bone state of their offspring in the first period of life. Maternal administration of zidovudine may delay development of organic matrix, while indinavir may have adverse effects on inorganic structure.