Characterization and analysis of osseous changes in murine jaws induced by chronic metabolic acidosis

Chronic metabolic acidosis (MA) is a growing clinical concern linked to the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While MA is known to cause systemic bone loss, its specific effects on craniofacial tissues and the role of sexual dimorphism remain under-investigated.

Male and female mice were subjected to a chronic acid challenge to model clinical MA. Raman spectroscopy and MicroCT were employed to evaluate the structural and compositional integrity of the maxilla and mandible, focusing on mineral crystallinity, carbonate content, and bone volume fraction.

Site-specific analysis revealed the maxilla to be significantly more vulnerable to acid perturbation than the mandible. This compositional shift is consistent with physicochemical mineral dissolution and may reflect alterations in bone remodeling. In contrast, the mandible's denser, more crystalline structure provided relative resilience to acid-induced changes. Furthermore, a significant sexual dimorphism was observed. Females demonstrated greater compositional sensitivity and a more pronounced decrease in mineral:matrix ratio compared to males.

These findings highlight the limitations of applying long-bone models to the craniofacial complex and underscore the need for clinical monitoring of oral health in patients with chronic metabolic disturbances.