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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
The Generation of Closed Femoral Fractures in Mice: A Model to Study Bone Healing
Published on: August 16, 2018
Genistein treatment improves fracture resistance in obese diabetic mice
Britton Odle1, Nathan Dennison1, Layla Al-Nakkash2
1Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
Background:
Obese, type two diabetics are at an increased risk for fracturing their limb bones in comparison to the general population. Phytoestrogens like as the soy isoflavone genistein have been shown to protect against bone loss. In this study, we tested the effects of genistein treatment on femurs of ob/ob mice, a model for obesity and type two diabetes mellitus.
Methods:
Twenty six-week-old female mice were divided into obese (ob/ob) control, obese genistein-treated, lean (ob/+) control, and lean genistein-treated groups (n = 5 each). Treatment with genistein consisted of 600 mg genistein/kg diet. Control mice were given standard rodent chow. At the end of a four-week treatment period, bone histomorphometric and three-point bending properties were compared among groups.
Results:
Obese mice had larger bone areas (B.Ar.; P < 0.05) and total areas (Tt.Ar.; P < 0.05), but similar bone volume (B.Ar./Tt.Ar.; P > 0.05) of the proximal femoral epiphysis in comparison to lean mice. Treatment with genistein decreased Tt.Ar. and femur length, and increased ultimate force required to fracture the femur and the maximum deformation to failure (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Genistein improves resistance to fracture from bending loads.
