Experimental animal models of osteonecrosis
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Published on: August 31, 2022
Meng Fan1, Jiang Peng, Ling Qin
1Medical College, NanKai University, Tianjin, China.
Abstract:
Osteonecrosis (ON) or avascular necrosis (AVN) is a common bone metabolic disorder, mostly affecting femoral head. Although many biological, biophysical, and surgical methods have been tested to preserve the femoral head with ON, none has been proven fully satisfactory. It lacks consensus on an optimal approach for treatment. This is due, at least in part, to the lack of ability to systematically compare treatment efficacy using an ideal animal model that mimics full-range osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) in humans with high incidence of joint collapse accompanied by reparative reaction adjacent to the necrotic bone in a reproducible and accessible way. A number of preclinical animal ON models have been established for testing potential efficacy of various modalities developed for prevention and treatment of ON before introduction into clinics for potential applications. This paper describes a number of different methods for creating animal experimental ON models. Advantages and disadvantages of such models are also discussed as reference for future research in battle against this important medical condition.
Insights
Developing effective treatments for osteonecrosis (ON), or avascular necrosis (AVN), requires ideal animal models. This review details methods for creating ON models to better compare treatment efficacy for femoral head osteonecrosis (ONFH).
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Bone Metabolism
- Preclinical Research
Background:
- Osteonecrosis (ON), also known as avascular necrosis (AVN), is a debilitating bone disorder frequently affecting the femoral head.
- Current treatments for femoral head osteonecrosis (ONFH) lack consensus and satisfactory outcomes, partly due to the absence of ideal preclinical models.
- A critical need exists for reproducible animal models that accurately mimic human ONFH, including joint collapse and adjacent reparative responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and describe various methods for creating experimental animal models of osteonecrosis.
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of existing ON models.
- To provide a reference for selecting appropriate models to advance ONFH research and treatment development.
Main Methods:
- Review of established methodologies for inducing osteonecrosis in animal models.
- Comparative analysis of different ON model systems.
- Discussion of model characteristics relevant to mimicking human ONFH pathology.
Main Results:
- Several distinct methods exist for generating animal models of osteonecrosis.
- Each model possesses unique advantages and limitations regarding reproducibility, incidence of collapse, and simulation of reparative reactions.
- No single model perfectly replicates all aspects of human ONFH.
Conclusions:
- The development and selection of appropriate animal models are crucial for advancing the understanding and treatment of osteonecrosis.
- Further refinement of existing models or development of novel ones is necessary to facilitate systematic comparison of therapeutic interventions.
- Improved preclinical models will accelerate the translation of effective ONFH treatments to clinical practice.
