The Change of Bone Metabolism in Ovariectomized Rats : Analyses of MicroCT Scan and Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover

• Published in: Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2012, 51(6), , pp.323-327
• Main Authors: Yoon, Kyung-Hyuk, Cho, Dae-Chul, Yu, Song-Hee, Kim, Kyoung-Tae, Jeon, Younghoon, Sung, Joo-Kyung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Laboratory Investigation; 신경외과학
• ISSN: 2005-3711; 1598-7876
• DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2012.51.6.323

The purpose of this study was to verify the appropriateness of ovariectomized rats as the osteoporosis animal model. Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a sham operation (the sham group) or bilateral ovariectomy [the ovariectomy (OVX) group]. Eight weeks after operations, serum biochemical markers of bone turnover were analyzed; osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase, which are sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus (CTX), which is a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption. Bone histomorphometric parameters and microarchitectural properties of 4th lumbar vertebrae were determined by micro-computed tomographic (CT) scan. The OVX group showed on average 75.4% higher osteocalcin and 72.5% higher CTX levels than the sham group, indicating increased bone turnover. Micro-CT analysis showed significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) (p=0.005) and cortical BMD (p=0.021) in the OVX group. Furthermore, the OVX group was found to have a significantly lower trabecular bone volume fraction (p=0.002). Our results showed that bone turnover was significantly increased and bone mass was significantly decreased 8 weeks after ovariectomy in rats. Thus, we propose that the ovariectomized rat model be considered a reproducible and reliable model of osteoporosis.