[Effects of long-term ethanol intake on the bone mass on femoral bone of mice: a microdensitometrical study]

This report on the effects of ethanol intake on bone tissue in ICR strain mice. The authors let male and female ICR mice take 16% ethanol solution (Sake) ad lib for 472 days beginning at the age of 38 days. Observations were using radiograph on bone density of hind legs, we were measured at the middle of the femur densitometer. The effects of indices. Observations were carried out on bone density were analyzed using six indices: the maximum density of the middle of the bone cortex (h1, h2) (the maximum density of the bone cortex (h1 + h2)/2 [hmax]); the minimum density of the middle of the bone marrow (h3) (minimum density of the bone marrow [hmin]); the bone cortical width (d1 + d2); the bone marrow width (d); the cortical bone index (the ratio of cortical bone width to bone width [CBI]); and the radial trabecular index (the ratio of bone width to hmin [RTI]). The results were as follows: In male mice, hmax, hmin, d1 + d2, CBI and RTI were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). In females, hmax, hmin, d1 + d2 and CBI were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). The number of osteocytes in the femur diaphysis did not significantly differ between groups. These findings suggest that ethanol intake affects kidney tissues, and decreased reabsorption of calcium were caused by damaging the kidneys, thereby increasing excretion of Ca to the urine. Bone resorption occurred in order to homeostasis of Ca concentration in blood.