Vibrational bone characteristics versus bone density for the assessment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Our previous research findings suggested this integrated study in order to monitor changes of bone properties and assess bone integrity using vibrational characteristics in osteoporosis. The method is based on measurement of the bone dynamic characteristic modal damping factor (MDF). The experimental animal model is ovariectomized rat followed by alendronate treatment. According to the experimental design, adult female Wistar rats are ovariectomized and 60 days later, with confirmed osteoporosis, the population is divided into two groups. One is administered alendronate and the second is given no treatment. Furthermore, established techniques such as pQCT and histomorphometry are applied at all time points, in order to compare and correlate to MDF. The results indicate induction of osteoporosis due to ovariectomy and render MDF capable of monitoring changes in bone material properties and architecture, with high sensitivity and repeatability.

Keywords:

• Modal damping factor
• Osteoporosis
• pQCT

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the reimbursement of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Greek Ministry of Development in order to integrate this work (Program PENED 01 ED 377). The authors would also like to thank Dr John Katsillis, Professor of Social Research and Statistics, Department of Elementary Education, University of Patras, for his valuable help in the exploitation of the statistical treatment of our results.