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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
Published on: November 29, 2024
Ultrastructural changes in osteocytes in microgravity conditions
N V Rodionova1, V S Oganov, N V Zolotova
1Schmalhauzen Institute of Zoology, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine.
Abstract:
We examined the histology and morphometry of biosamples (biopsies) of the iliac crest of monkeys, flown 14 days aboard the "Bion-11", using electron microscopy. We found, that some young osteocytes take part in the activation of collagen protein biosynthesis in the adaptive remodeling process of the bone tissue to microgravity conditions. Osteocyte lacunae filled with collagen fibrils; this correlates with fibrotic osteoblast reorganization in such zones. The osteolytic activity in mature osteocytes is intensified. As a result of osteocyte destruction, the quantity of empty osteocytic lacunae in the bone tissue increases.
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