Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify osteological changes in the femoral epiphyseal region in ovariectomized rats with differing mineral consumptions. The bone tissues were assessed using 3-dimensional maps, bone mineral contents, and bone volume measurements. Data from microcomputed tomography with TRI / 3D-Bon BMD application software were also used.
Methods: A total of 48 rats were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 16 per group). The control rats, in Group 1, were subjected to a sham operation when 20 weeks old and given a normal diet. The remaining 32 rats were subjected to bilateral ovarectomy at the same age and divided into Group 2, ovariectomized rats on normal diet, and Group 3, ovariectomized rats on low-mineral diet. Each group began eating its prescribed diet at 20 weeks. Observations were made at 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks on the respective diets.
Results: In the color scale 3-dimensional map of cancellous bone, high bone-mineral density was observed in sites found to be in contact with cortical bone, and middle and low bone-mineral density distributions were observed in the medullary cavity. Bone-mineral content of the cortical and cancellous bone was significantly decreased at 24 weeks in groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. Bone volume was significantly lower at 24 weeks in groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated two things: (1) a mineral-deficient diet may decrease cancerous bone volume, which might be associated with estrogen deficiency as a result of ovarectomy, and (2) 3-dimensional maps may be useful in diagnosing osteoporosis and other diseases causing bone loss.
