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Disturbances in Bone Largely Predict Aortic Calcification in an Alternative Rat Model Developed to Study Both

Ellen Neven1, Rida Bashir-Dar1, Geert Dams1

  • 1Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
|June 26, 2015
PubMed

Insights

A new rat model allows simultaneous study of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related vascular calcification and bone pathology. This model offers stable CKD, moderate vascular calcification, and measurable bone changes, aiding research into the bone-vascular axis.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Current rat models exhibit excessive vascular calcification and chaotic bone mineralization, hindering simultaneous study of the bone-vascular axis in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • A critical need exists for an animal model that enables concurrent investigation of vascular calcification and bone pathology in CKD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a novel rat model for studying the interrelations between CKD, vascular calcification, and bone disease.
  • To establish a model that allows for simultaneous assessment of bone and vascular pathologies in CKD.

Main Methods:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was induced in rats using a 0.25% adenine/low vitamin K diet.
  • Vascular calcification was assessed via histomorphometry and arterial calcium content.
  • Bone parameters (static and dynamic) were measured at multiple time points (weeks 4, 8, 10, 11, 12).

Main Results:

  • The model successfully induced stable, severe CKD with characteristic metabolic derangements (hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, elevated PTH and FGF23).
  • Vascular calcification was evident from week 8 onwards, alongside measurable bone pathologies indicative of hyperparathyroid bone disease.
  • Bone parameters, specifically eroded perimeter and mineral apposition rate, were identified as significant predictors of aortic calcification.

Conclusions:

  • This rat model provides a stable platform for studying CKD complications, exhibiting moderate vascular calcification and quantifiable bone pathology.
  • It is the first model suitable for simultaneous mechanistic and intervention studies of vascular calcification and bone disease in CKD.

Keywords:
BONE DISEASECHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASEMINERAL ABNORMALITIESRAT MODELVASCULAR CALCIFICATION

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