The combined effects of X-ray radiation and hindlimb suspension on bone loss

Outer space is a complex environment with various phenomena that negatively affect bone metabolism, including microgravity and highly energized ionizing radiation. In the present study, we used four groups of male Wistar rats treated with or without four-week hindlimb suspension after 4 Gy of X-rays to test whether there is a combined effect for hindlimb suspension and X-ray radiation. We tested trabecular parameters and some cytokines of the bone as leading indicators of bone metabolism. The results showed that hindlimb suspension and X-ray radiation could cause a significant increase in bone loss. Hindlimb suspension caused a 56.6% bone loss (P = 0.036), while X-ray radiation caused a 30.7% (P = 0.041) bone loss when compared with the control group. The combined factors of hindlimb suspension and X-rays exerted a combined effect on bone mass, with a reduction of 64.8% (P = 0.003).