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[Effects of hindlimb unloading on bone histomorphometry and bone mass in rats]
Da-wei Huang1, Yu-min Wan, Zhi-zhen Shi
1Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China.
Objective:
To study the effects of hindlimb unloading on bone histomorphometry, bone local growth factor, bone biomechanical properties and bone contents in rats.
Method:
Male SD rats were arranged into free active control group (CON) and tail-suspended group (TS) with 9 rats in each group. The experiment lasted for 3 weeks. Bone histomorphometry, bone local growth factor, biomechanical properties and bone contents were measured before and after tail suspension.
Result:
Structure of the trabecular bone was disorganized. Compared with CON, trabecular bone volume (% Tb. Ar), mean trabecular plate thickness (Tb. Th), osteoblast surface (Ob. S) were significantly reduced in TS. The eroded surface (Oc. N/BS) tended to be higher, though not significant at this stage of tail suspension; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the tibia were significantly reduced, but NO content in the femoral trunk was significantly decreased; bone biomechanical properties, bone mineral content (BMC), bone density (BD) and bone collagen density (BCD) in the femur were significantly reduced.
Conclusion:
Hindlimb unloading may lead to regression of bone microstructure, change of bone local growth factor content, reduction of bone biomechanical properties and bone content.