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Microstructured Devices for Optimized Microinjection and Imaging of Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: December 8, 2017
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Aging-associated microstructural deterioration of vertebra in zebrafish
Yasuyuki Monma1, Yasuhito Shimada2,3,4, Hiroko Nakayama4,5
1Department of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
Bone Reports
|August 8, 2019
Summary
Zebrafish aging shows reduced vertebral bone volume and microarchitecture deterioration, similar to human bone aging. This makes zebrafish a valuable model for studying osteoporosis and developing new osteoporosis treatments.
Area of Science:
- Comparative biology
- Gerontology
- Skeletal biology
Background:
- Zebrafish are increasingly used as a model organism for studying aging processes.
- Vertebral bone aging in zebrafish has not been extensively studied.
- Understanding age-related bone changes in zebrafish can provide insights into human bone aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related degenerative changes in zebrafish vertebral bone.
- To analyze micro-structural parameters of zebrafish vertebrae over time.
- To evaluate the potential of zebrafish as a model for human bone aging and osteoporosis.
Main Methods:
- Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning was used to analyze zebrafish vertebral bone structure.
- Bone volume, bone mineral density, and tissue volume were quantified.
- Micro-structural analysis included trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and star volume.
Main Results:
- Trabecular bone volume in zebrafish peaked at 6 months post-fertilisation and decreased with age.
- Bone mineral density and tissue volume remained stable after 6 months post-fertilisation.
- Aged zebrafish exhibited deteriorated microarchitecture, including reduced trabecular thickness and number, and ectopic ossification.
Conclusions:
- Aged zebrafish display significant vertebral bone microarchitecture deterioration, mirroring human age-related bone loss.
- Zebrafish serve as a relevant animal model for investigating the pathology of human bone aging.
- This model can aid in the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for age-related osteoporosis.
Keywords:
AgingBMC, bone mineral contentBMD, bone mineral densityBV, bone volumeCT, Computed TomographyFCV, first caudal vertebraMicro CTOsteoporosisTV, tissue volumeTb, trabecular boneTb.N, trabecular numberTb.Th, trabecular thicknessTeleostV*m, tissue space star volumeV*tr, trabecular star volumempf, month-post-fertilisation
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