[Effects of alcohol on bone metabolism and biomechanical property of mice]

This study was aimed to detect the effects of alcohol on bone metabolism and biomechanical property of growing mice. Thirty KM mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely basal control group (mice were killed at the beginning), normal control group (with distilled water given by gastrogavage), and 50% (V/V) alcohol group (with alcohol given by gastrogavage at the dose of 4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 60 days). All mice were killed and their proximal tibia and tibial diaphysis were processed by undecalcified sections and measured by bone histomorphometry. The biomechanical properties of lumbar vertebra and femur were tested. Compared with normal control, the index of trabecular bone area (% Tb. Ar) of proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM) and the static parameter of cortical bone( Ct. Ar) both decreased obviously (P < 0.05) in alcohol group. Bone formation rate (BFR/TV) of trabecular bone and cortical bone dropped also (P < 0.05). The maximal resistibility of lumbar vertebra and structural mechanical strength of proximal femoral neck both declined significantly (P < 0.01) in alcohol group. Low dose of alcohol inhibited the bone formation rate of growing mice , thus leading to a disorder of bone metabolism and a decrease in biomechanical quality.