镉染毒对雄性大鼠骨生物力学性能的影响

目的探讨镉（Cd）对大鼠股骨和腰椎生物力学性能的影响。方法 24只8周龄雄性SD大鼠随机分成4组：对照组,皮下注射0.5 mL生理盐水;实验组,染毒剂量分别为0.1 mg Cd/（kg.bw）（低剂量组）,0.5 mgCd/（kg.bw）（中剂量组）和1.5 mg Cd/（kg.bw）（高剂量组）,每周根据体重调整注射量。染毒后第12周,收集全血、腰椎及股骨,分别用于血镉测定、骨镉测定、骨密度测定及生物力学测定。结果染毒组大鼠体内血镉及骨镉水平明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;中、高剂量染毒组大鼠骨密度较对照组显著下降（P〈0.05）;染毒组大鼠股骨和腰椎生物力学性能较对照组有不同程度的的降低,其中高剂量染毒组大鼠股骨生物力学性能的下降和对照组相比差异有显著性（P〈0.01）;中、高剂量组大鼠腰椎生物力学性能和对照组相比有显著下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论镉影响大鼠股骨和腰椎的生物力学性能,并且腰椎较股骨更为敏感。     

镉负荷大鼠一氧化氮和肿瘤坏死因子-α释放在介导多器官机能活动障碍中的作用

选择健康SD雄性成年大鼠36只,随机分成对照组(C组)、镉负荷中剂量组(M组)、镉负荷高剂量组(H组).将分析纯CdCl2·2.5H2O用生理盐水稀释成含镉0.4 mg/ml浓度的注射溶液,高压灭菌.M组和H组大鼠每天分别按含镉0.5和1.0 mg/kg体重腹腔注射染毒,C组用同样方法注射与H组同等剂量的生理盐水,进行急性镉负荷实验,连续观察7 d.研究急性镉负荷对大鼠血液及几种组织中一氧化氮(NO)自由基、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-a)变化的影响及作用.结果显示在整个实验期内,镉负荷大鼠体重与对照组比较明显下降;睾丸、心脏和肝脏组织中的镉含量极显著上升,并随镉负荷剂量和时间而增加;血浆NO水平M组虽高于对照组,但差异不显著,而H组极显著高于对照组,M和H组血浆TNF-α明显高于对照组;在整个实验期内,镉负荷大鼠睾丸、心脏和肝脏组织匀浆中NO较对照组高或明显高于对照组,睾丸和心脏组织匀浆中TNF-a也均高于或明显高于对照组,但肝脏中的TNF-a三组间没有差异.结果提示,镉负荷诱发NO、TNF-α大量释放在导致大鼠多种器官机能活动障碍发生过程中可能起重要作用.     

双酚A 对雄性大鼠抗氧化能力影响的初步研究

目的:探讨双酚A(BPA)对成年大鼠抗氧化能力的影响。方法:将健康成年雄性SD大鼠84只随机分为5个双酚A染毒剂量组(200、50、5、0.5、0.0005 mg/kg)和1个对照组,连续灌胃染毒8周,并监测体重变化,染毒结束后测定血浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽-过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)含量;此外,提取肝脏组织RNA,用荧光实时定量PCR测定肝脏硫氧还原蛋白过氧化物酶2(prdx2)mRNA的表达水平。结果:随着染毒时间的延长,50 mg/kg及200 mg/kg剂量组的动物体重增长速度逐渐减慢,自4周开始,与对照组相比有显著差异(P<0.05);染毒结束时,其体重分别为对照组的90.52%和91.61%(p<0.05),而其它低剂量组间则无明显差异;大鼠血浆GSH-Px含量总体上呈下降趋势,且5 mg/kg以上剂量组与对照组相比差别均有统计学意义(p<0.01);染毒组血浆SOD水平虽也低于对照组,但无统计显著性;此外,大鼠肝脏组织prdx2 mRNA水平随双酚A剂量增高呈剂量依赖性降低,与对照组相比,其在最低剂量组(0.0005 mg/kg)即有显著差异(p<0.01)。结论:双酚A可造成大鼠抗氧化酶系统失衡,导致氧化损伤效应,prdx2可能是反映其氧化损伤敏感的生物学标志。     

双酚A对雄性大鼠抗氧化能力影响的初步研究

目的：探讨双酚A（BPA）对成年大鼠抗氧化能力的影响。方法：将健康成年雄性SD大鼠84只随机分为5个双酚A染毒剂量组（200、50、5、0.5、0.0005 mg/kg）和1个对照组,连续灌胃染毒8周,并监测体重变化,染毒结束后测定血浆超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽-过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）含量;此外,提取肝脏组织RNA,用荧光实时定量PCR测定肝脏硫氧还原蛋白过氧化物酶2（prdx2）mRNA的表达水平。结果：随着染毒时间的延长,50 mg/kg及200 mg/kg剂量组的动物体重增长速度逐渐减慢,自4周开始,与对照组相比有显著差异（P〈0.05）;染毒结束时,其体重分别为对照组的90.52%和91.61%（p〈0.05）,而其它低剂量组间则无明显差异;大鼠血浆GSH-Px含量总体上呈下降趋势,且5 mg/kg以上剂量组与对照组相比差别均有统计学意义（p〈0.01）;染毒组血浆SOD水平虽也低于对照组,但无统计显著性;此外,大鼠肝脏组织prdx2 mRNA水平随双酚A剂量增高呈剂量依赖性降低,与对照组相比,其在最低剂量组（0.0005 mg/kg）即有显著差异（p〈0.01）。结论：双酚A可造成大鼠抗氧化酶系统失衡,导致氧化损伤效应,prdx2可能是反映其氧化损伤敏感的生物学标志。     

阿司匹林对去势大鼠腰椎骨密度及微观结构的影响

目的:研究阿司匹林对去势(卵巢切除)大鼠腰椎骨密度及微观结构的影响。方法:取48只3月龄SD雌性大鼠随机分为6组:去势组(OVX组)、对照组(Sham组)及4个阿司匹林治疗组(Aspirin组),每组8只。OVX组及Aspirin组采用卵巢切除法建立骨质疏松模型。去势后1周,阿司匹林治疗组剂量分别为2.25、4.46、8.92及26.75 mg/kg(A1、A2、A3及A4组),每天灌胃一次,OVX组及Sham组予同等量生理盐水灌胃。灌胃3个月后处死,剖取腰椎椎体,以双能X线吸收骨密度测量仪(DXA)和Micro-CT进行测量分析。结果:DXA分析结果显示:阿司匹林各剂量组BMD值较OVX组有统计学差异(P<0.01)。Micro-CT分析表明:与OVX组比较,阿司匹林各剂量组BV/TV、Tb.Th、Tb.N、BMD均显著性提高(P<0.01),BS/BV、Tb.Sp显著性降低(P<0.01),阿司匹林各剂量组BV/TV、BS/BV、Tb.Th、Tb.N、Tb.Sp、BMD与Sham组相比有统计学差异(P<0.01)。结论:阿司匹林可以改善去势大鼠骨小梁结构,增加骨质密度,对去势大鼠骨质疏松具有防治作用,其作用途径可能包括抑制骨吸收和刺激骨形成两方面。     

香烟烟雾暴露对雄性大鼠血浆尼古丁、可替宁的影响

目的通过对吸烟大鼠血浆尼古丁、可替宁含量的测定,探讨香烟在体内的内暴露水平。方法清洁级SD雄性大鼠160只,随机分为2、4、6、8、12周的低、中、高染毒剂量组及对照组,每组10只。采用呼吸道静式染毒,每日染毒一次,染毒周期为2、4、6、8、12周。观察大鼠的一般毒性效应,运用气相色谱-质谱联用法检测吸烟大鼠血浆中尼古丁、可替宁的含量。结果香烟烟雾暴露组大鼠在第3周后逐渐开始出现间歇咳嗽,腹式呼吸加剧,鼻噪音等症状,暴露时间越长,症状越明显;染毒剂量越高,染毒周期越长,大鼠体重减少越明显,与空白对照组相比,差异有显著性(P0.01);大鼠血浆尼古丁的保留时间为7.5~8.5 min,随暴露时间的延长,暴露剂量的增加,大鼠血浆中尼古丁含量较空白对照组(155±56.65)ng/m L有所增加;大鼠血浆可替宁的保留时间为11.5~12.5 min;随暴露时间的延长,暴露剂量的增加,大鼠血浆中可替宁含量较空白对照组(340±41.97)ng/m L有所增加,且呈现剂量-反应关系,不同暴露周期间可替宁含量的差异有显著性(P0.05),且暴露时间与暴露剂量存在交互效应(P0.05)。结论香烟烟雾暴露可造成大鼠机体不同程度的损伤,大鼠血浆可替宁浓度能够有效反映香烟烟雾内暴露情况,且呈现较好的剂量-反应关系。     

熊果酸对酒精性骨质疏松大鼠骨形成、骨矿化的影响

目的：探讨熊果酸对酒精所致骨质疏松大鼠骨形成、骨矿化的影响。方法：雄性Wistar大鼠60只,按体重随机分为空白对照 组、熊果酸对照组、模型组、熊果酸低、中、高剂量组,同时分别给予生理盐水、150 mg/kg 熊果酸、50%酒精,50 mg/kg 熊果酸,100 mg/kg 熊果酸,150 mg/kg 熊果酸灌胃。熊果酸对照组生理盐水剂量同空白组,熊果酸低、中、高剂量组酒精剂量同模型组。灌胃共 持续8 周。磷钼酸法检测血清磷(P)含量,比色法检测血清钙(Ca)含量,酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法检测血清骨钙素(BGP)、骨形成蛋 白-2(BMP-2)浓度;HE 染色法观察股骨结构的病理学变化。结果：与空白对照组相比较,模型组血清BGP、BMP-2 和Ca、P 均明显 降低,且有统计学差异(P < 0.05),但熊果酸对照与空白对照组各项指标结果相近。熊果酸中、高剂量组大鼠血清BGP、Ca 和P 水 平均较模型组有显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P < 0.05),但仅熊果酸高剂量组血清BMP-2 显著升高(P < 0.05)。股骨组织HE 染色结果显示,空白对照组骨小梁致密、规则且较粗,粗细均匀;模型组骨小梁稀松、不规则、粗细不均匀,甚至可见骨小梁断裂; 熊果酸中、高剂量组骨小梁致密、规则、较厚、粗细均匀,未见骨小梁断裂。结论：熊果酸能够促进酒精性骨质疏松大鼠的骨形成, 抑制骨矿物质的流失,在改善酒精致骨质疏松方面有一定的保护作用。     

熊果酸对酒精性骨质疏松大鼠骨形成、骨矿化的影响（英文）

目的:探讨熊果酸对酒精所致骨质疏松大鼠骨形成、骨矿化的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠60只,按体重随机分为空白对照组、熊果酸对照组、模型组、熊果酸低、中、高剂量组,同时分别给予生理盐水、150 mg/kg熊果酸、50%酒精,50 mg/kg熊果酸,100mg/kg熊果酸,150 mg/kg熊果酸灌胃。熊果酸对照组生理盐水剂量同空白组,熊果酸低、中、高剂量组酒精剂量同模型组。灌胃共持续8周。磷钼酸法检测血清磷(P)含量,比色法检测血清钙(Ca)含量,酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测血清骨钙素(BGP)、骨形成蛋白-2(BMP-2)浓度;HE染色法观察股骨结构的病理学变化。结果:与空白对照组相比较,模型组血清BGP、BMP-2和Ca、P均明显降低,且有统计学差异(P0.05),但熊果酸对照与空白对照组各项指标结果相近。熊果酸中、高剂量组大鼠血清BGP、Ca和P水平均较模型组有显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),但仅熊果酸高剂量组血清BMP-2显著升高(P0.05)。股骨组织HE染色结果显示,空白对照组骨小梁致密、规则且较粗,粗细均匀;模型组骨小梁稀松、不规则、粗细不均匀,甚至可见骨小梁断裂;熊果酸中、高剂量组骨小梁致密、规则、较厚、粗细均匀,未见骨小梁断裂。结论:熊果酸能够促进酒精性骨质疏松大鼠的骨形成,抑制骨矿物质的流失,在改善酒精致骨质疏松方面有一定的保护作用。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白-7与脱钙骨基质复合物双重骨诱导作用的生物学评价

将不同剂量的重组人骨形态发生蛋白-7(rhBMP-7)与脱钙骨基质(DBM)分别复合后,植入小鼠股部内侧肌间隙,三周后取材,通过组织学检查、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)及钙含量的测定比较各组的骨诱导活性。结果显示,三组复合物均有骨组织生成,中、高剂量组可见骨小梁、板层骨和原始骨髓腔,血管和骨髓丰富;低剂量组的成骨量明显少于中、高剂量组,且新骨的成熟度低于其他两组,DBM少部分吸收;单独植入rhBMP-7组有编织骨形成;而DBM组可见成骨细胞的聚集。rhBMP-7/DBM复合组在ALP和Ca含量水平上与同等剂量的两对照组相比均有显著性差异(P<0.01),而rhBMP-7三种剂量之间均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。这充分说明DBM作为rhBMP-7的合适载体,具有缓释作用,且二者复合可起到双重骨诱导活性;而且rhBMP-7的骨诱导活性具有一定的剂量依赖性。     

大鼠对乙酰柠檬酸三丁酯的安全耐受值测定

按体重将80只SD大鼠随机分为对照组,低、中、高剂量组,每组雌雄各10只。持续静脉给药观察4周后处死,观察体重、脏器系数、血液及生化指标以及病理切片。与对照组比较,各组大鼠体重无显著性差异(p0.05);高剂量组雄鼠脑、肺、胸腺脏器系数差异显著(p0.05),雌鼠肝、卵巢脏器系数有差异显著(p0.05);中高剂量组雌、雄鼠部分血液及生化指标差异显著(p0.05);病理切片观察,各组大鼠肝脏均出现脂变,中高剂量组大鼠附睾、大肠出现炎症,其他器官未见明显病理改变。中高剂量组ATBC溶液对大鼠有一定毒性,参考低剂量组给药浓度,大鼠对其安全剂量为500 mg/kg体重/d。     

A Comparison of Micro-CT and Dental CT in Assessing Cortical Bone Morphology and Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone morphology by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and dental cone-beam computed tomography (dental CT).

Materials and Methods

Sixteen femurs and eight fifth lumbar vertebrae were collected from eight male Sprague Dawley rats. Four trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters related to the fifth lumbar vertebral body (percent bone volume [BV/TV], trabecular thickness [TbTh], trabecular separation [TbSp], and trabecular number [TbN]) were calculated using micro-CT. In addition, the volumetric cancellous bone grayscale value (vCanGrayscale) of the fifth lumbar vertebral body was measured using dental CT. Furthermore, four cortical bone morphology parameters of the femoral diaphysis (total cross-sectional area [TtAr], cortical area [CtAr], cortical bone area fraction [CtAr/TtAr], and cortical thickness [CtTh]) were calculated using both micro-CT and dental CT. Pearson analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation coefficients (r) of the micro-CT and dental CT measurements. Paired-sample t tests were used to compare the differences between the measurements of the four cortical bone morphology parameters obtained using micro-CT and dental CT.

Results

High correlations between the vCanGrayscale measured using dental CT and the trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters (BV/TV [r = 0.84] and TbTh [r = 0.84]) measured using micro-CT were observed. The absolute value of the four cortical bone morphology parameters may be different between the dental CT and micro-CT approaches. However, high correlations (r ranged from 0.71 to 0.90) among these four cortical bone morphology parameters measured using the two approaches were obtained.

Conclusion

We observed high correlations between the vCanGrayscale measured using dental CT and the trabecular bone microarchitecture parameters (BV/TV and TbTh) measured using micro-CT, in addition to high correlations between the cortical bone morphology measured using micro-CT and dental CT. Further experiments are necessary to validate the use of dental CT on human bone.     

Detection of trabecular bone microdamage by micro-computed tomography

Microdamage is an important component of bone quality and affects bone remodeling. Improved techniques to assess microdamage without the need for histological sectioning would provide insight into the role of microdamage in trabecular bone strength by allowing the spatial distribution of damage within the trabecular microstructure to be measured. Nineteen cylindrical trabecular bone specimens were prepared and assigned to two groups. The specimens in group I were damaged to 3% compressive strain and labeled with BaSO(4). Group II was not loaded, but was labeled with BaSO(4). Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) images of the specimens were obtained at 10 microm resolution. The median intensity of the treated bone tissue was compared between groups. Thresholding was also used to measure the damaged area fraction in the micro-CT scans. The histologically measured damaged area fraction, the median CT intensity, and the micro-CT measured damaged area fraction were all higher in the loaded group than in the unloaded group, indicating that the micro-CT images could differentiate the damaged specimen group from the unloaded specimens. The histologically measured damaged area fraction was positively correlated with the micro-CT measured damaged area fraction and with the median CT intensity of the bone, indicating that the micro-CT images can detect microdamage in trabecular bone with sufficient accuracy to differentiate damage levels between samples. This technique provides a means to non-invasively assess the three-dimensional distribution of microdamage within trabecular bone test specimens and could be used to gain insight into the role of trabecular architecture in microdamage formation.     

The assessment of trabecular bone parameters and cortical bone strength: A comparison of micro-CT and dental cone-beam CT

This study compared the capabilities of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in assessing trabecular bone parameters and cortical bone strength. Micro-CT and CBCT scans were applied to 28 femurs from 14 rats to obtain independent measurements of the volumetric cancellous bone mineral density (vCanBMD) in the femoral head, volumetric cortical bone mineral density (vCtBMD) in the femoral diaphysis, cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and bone strength index (BSI) (=CSMI×vCtBMD). Five structural parameters of the trabecular bone of the femoral head were calculated from micro-CT images. A three-point bending test was then conducted to measure the fracture load of each femur. Bivariate linear Pearson analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation coefficients (r values) of the micro-CT, dental CBCT, and three-point bending measurements. The statistical analyses showed a strong correlation between vCanBMD values obtained using micro-CT and dental CBCT (r=0.830). There were strong or moderate correlation between vCanBMD measured using dental CBCT and five parameters of trabecular structure measured using micro-CT. Additionally, the results were satisfactory regardless of whether micro-CT or dental CBCT was used to measure the femoral diaphysis vCtBMD (r=0.733 and 0.680, respectively), CSMI (r=0.756 and 0.726, respectively), or BSI (r=0.846 and 0.847, respectively) to predict fracture loads. This study has yielded a new method for using dental CBCT to evaluate bone parameters and bone strength; however, further studies are necessary to validate the use of dental CBCT on humans.     

A Non-Destructive Method for Distinguishing Reindeer Antler (Rangifer tarandus) from Red Deer Antler (Cervus elaphus) Using X-Ray Micro-Tomography Coupled with SVM Classifiers

Over the last decade, biomedical 3D-imaging tools have gained widespread use in the analysis of prehistoric bone artefacts. While initial attempts to characterise the major categories used in osseous industry (i.e. bone, antler, and dentine/ivory) have been successful, the taxonomic determination of prehistoric artefacts remains to be investigated. The distinction between reindeer and red deer antler can be challenging, particularly in cases of anthropic and/or taphonomic modifications. In addition to the range of destructive physicochemical identification methods available (mass spectrometry, isotopic ratio, and DNA analysis), X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) provides convincing non-destructive 3D images and analyses. This paper presents the experimental protocol (sample scans, image processing, and statistical analysis) we have developed in order to identify modern and archaeological antler collections (from Isturitz, France). This original method is based on bone microstructure analysis combined with advanced statistical support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. A combination of six microarchitecture biomarkers (bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular separation, trabecular thickness, trabecular bone pattern factor, and structure model index) were screened using micro-CT in order to characterise internal alveolar structure. Overall, reindeer alveoli presented a tighter mesh than red deer alveoli, and statistical analysis allowed us to distinguish archaeological antler by species with an accuracy of 96%, regardless of anatomical location on the antler. In conclusion, micro-CT combined with SVM classifiers proves to be a promising additional non-destructive method for antler identification, suitable for archaeological artefacts whose degree of human modification and cultural heritage or scientific value has previously made it impossible (tools, ornaments, etc.).     

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Versus Whole Body Vibration on Cartilage and Subchondral Trabecular Bone in Mice With Knee Osteoarthritis

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and whole body vibration (WBV) interventions are expected to be important strategies for management of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of PEMF versus WBV on cartilage and subchondral trabecular bone in mice with knee OA (KOA) induced by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Forty 12-week-old male C57/BL mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): Control, OA, PEMF, and WBV. OA was induced (OA, PEMF, and WBV groups) by surgical DMM of right knee joint. Mice in PEMF group received 1 h/day PEMF exposure with 75 Hz, 1.6 mT for 4 weeks, and the WBV group was exposed to WBV for 20 min/day with 5 Hz, 4 mm, 0.3 g peak acceleration for 4 weeks. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histology, and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to evaluate the changes in cartilage and microstructure of trabecular bone. The bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N) increased, and bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) decreased by micro-CT analysis in PEMF and WBV groups. The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores in PEMF and WBV groups were significantly lower than in the OA group. Immunohistochemical results showed that PEMF and WBV promoted expressions of Aggrecan, and inhibited expressions of IL-1β, ADAMTS4, and MMP13. Superior results are seen in PEMF group compared with WBV group. Both PEMF and WBV were effective, could delay cartilage degeneration and preserve subchondral trabecular bone microarchitecture, and PEMF was found to be superior to WBV. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:298–307 © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society     

Quantitative analysis of micro-CT imaging and histopathological signatures of experimental arthritis in rats

Micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging provides a unique opportunity to capture 3-D architectural information in bone samples. In this study of pathological joint changes in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), quantitative analysis of bone volume and roughness were performed by micro-CT imaging and compared with histopathology methods and paw swelling measurement. Micro-CT imaging of excised rat hind paws (n = 10) stored in formalin consisted of approximately 600 30-mum slices acquired on a 512 x 512 image matrix with isotropic resolution. Following imaging, the joints were scored from H&E stained sections for cartilage/bone erosion, pannus development, inflammation, and synovial hyperplasia. From micro-CT images, quantitative analysis of absolute bone volumes and bone roughness was performed. Bone erosion in the rat AA model is substantial, leading to a significant decline in tarsal volume (27%). The result of the custom bone roughness measurement indicated a 55% increase in surface roughness. Histological and paw volume analyses also demonstrated severe arthritic disease as compared to controls. Statistical analyses indicate correlations among bone volume, roughness, histology, and paw volume. These data demonstrate that the destructive progression of disease in a rat AA model can be quantified using 3-D micro-CT image analysis, which allows assessment of arthritic disease status and efficacy of experimental therapeutic agents.     

Characterization of structure and properties of bone by spectral measure method

Novel mathematical method called spectral measure method (SMM) is developed for characterization of bone structure and indirect estimation of bone properties. The spectral measure method is based on an inverse homogenization technique which allows to derive information about the structure of composite material from measured effective electric or viscoelastic properties. The mechanical properties and ability to withstand fracture depend on the structural organization of bone as a hierarchical composite. Information about the bone structural parameters is contained in the spectral measure in the Stieltjes integral representation of the effective properties. The method is based on constructing the spectral measure either by calculating it directly from micro-CT images or using measurements of electric or viscoelastic properties over a frequency range. In the present paper, we generalize the Stieltjes representation to the viscoelastic case and show how bone microstructure, in particular, bone volume or porosity, can be characterized by the spectral function calculated using measurements of complex permittivity or viscoelastic modulus. For validation purposes, we numerically simulated measured data using micro-CT images of cancellous bone. Recovered values of bone porosity are in excellent agreement with true porosity estimated from the micro-CT images. We also discuss another application of this method, which allows to estimate properties difficult to measure directly. The spectral measure method based on the derived Stieltjes representation for viscoelastic composites, has a potential for non-invasive characterization of bone structure using electric or mechanical measurements. The method is applicable to sea ice, porous rock, and other composite materials.     

Micro-CT Analysis of Experimental <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> Osteoarthritis in Rats

Experimental osteoarthritis induced by Candida albicans in rats was studied using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). When C. albicans cells at a nonlethal dose were intravenously injected into 40 rats, joint swelling was induced in 24 rats. Two or more joints were affected in 10 of the 24 rats. Tarsal regions of the hind paw were affected most frequently, followed by elbows of the fore paw. Micro-CT analysis in vivo showed that erosions of the affected tarsal joint bones were apparent several days after the onset of swelling. Thereafter, severe surface roughness and disintegration in the joint bones progressed during the development of arthritis. Three-dimensional (3D) trabecular microstructures and changes in 3D bone parameters were characterized ex vivo with calcanei from affected hind paws. Three-dimensional morphology showed coarsening of the trabecular distribution and weakening of the trabecular connectivity in arthritic bones. These morphological changes were quantitatively confirmed by changes in 3D bone parameters measured from consecutively scanned bone slices. Micro-CT has been shown to be useful for quantifying morphological changes occurring in Candida arthritic bones.     

Whole body vibration with rest days could improve bone quality of distal femoral metaphysis by regulating trabecular arrangement

Low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration(LMHFV) with rest days(particularly seven rest days) was considerably effective in improving the morphological and mechanical properties of rat proximal femur. However, current knowledge is limited regarding the possible benefit of this mechanical regimen to other bone sites and whether the optimal rest days are the same. This study followed our previous experiment on LMHFV loading with rest days for three-month-old male Wistar rats. The experiment involved seven groups, namely, vibrational loading for X day followed with X day rest(X=1, 3, 5, 7), daily vibrational loading,tail suspension and baseline control. Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) scanning was used to evaluate the microarchitecture of the distal femoral trabecular bone. Micro-CT image-based microfinite element analysis was performed for each distal femoral metaphysis. LMHFV with rest days substantially changed the trabecular arrangement from remarkably plate-like to rod-like. Vibrational loading with 1 day rest was substantially effective in improving the architecture and apparent-and tissuelevel mechanical properties of the rat distal femoral metaphysis. This study may provide an improved understanding of the sitespecific responses of bone tissue to LMHFV with rest days for a substantially effective therapy of a targeted bone site.