Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
04:34
Modified Spared Nerve Injury Surgery Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2022
7.0K
Bone adaptation to mechanical loading in a mouse model of reduced peripheral sensory nerve function
Mollie A Heffner1, Damian C Genetos2, Blaine A Christiansen3
1University of California Davis, Mouse Biology Program, Davis, CA, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 1, 2017
Summary
Sensory nerve function, reduced by capsaicin, did not impair bone adaptation to mechanical loading in mice. In fact, capsaicin-treated mice showed enhanced bone formation, suggesting sensory nerves may play a complex role in bone remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology
- Skeletal adaptation
- Neuro-osseous interactions
Background:
- Osteoporosis involves imbalanced bone turnover, with sensory nerve function's role partially understood.
- Sensory neuropeptides influence osteoblast and osteoclast activity, impacting bone adaptation to mechanical stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how reduced sensory nerve function affects bone adaptation to mechanical loading.
- To test the hypothesis that diminished sensory nerve function impairs bone's response to mechanical stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Mice with reduced sensory nerve function (neonatal capsaicin treatment) underwent tibial compression (3 N or 7 N) for two weeks.
- Bone adaptation was assessed using micro-computed tomography (μCT) and dynamic histomorphometry.
- Neuropeptide concentrations (CGRP, SP) in bone were measured after mechanical loading or hindlimb unloading.
Main Results:
- Tibial compression altered cortical microarchitecture based on magnitude and location, increasing periosteal and decreasing endosteal bone formation.
- Contrary to the hypothesis, capsaicin-treated mice showed similar or enhanced bone adaptation, with increased bone mineral content and apposition rate.
- Tibial compression increased bone calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentrations, and hindlimb unloading showed a trend toward increased CGRP.
Conclusions:
- Reduced sensory nerve function did not diminish, and may enhance, bone's adaptive response to mechanical loading.
- Sensory nerves, particularly through CGRP, might play a role in the bone adaptation to mechanical environments, although the exact mechanism requires further investigation.
