Preventive effects of the anti-vasospasm agent via the regulation of the Rho-kinase pathway on the development of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits

►We examined preventive effects of anti-vasospasm agent on the development of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits. ►The anti-vasospasm agent (fasudil) prevented the development of osteonecrosis. ►The endothelinA-receptor expressions were decreased in the fasudil group. ►The eNOS expression levels in both serum and bone marrow were decreased in the steroid alone group. ►Vasospasm plays an important role on the development of steroid-induced osteonecrosis.