Journal Article

Microstructural, Densitometric and Metabolic Variations in Bones from Rats with Normal or Altered Skeletal States

Nazarian, Ara, Snyder, Brian D., Aran, Shima, Luu, Andrew N., Rosso, Claudio, Araiza Arroyo, Francisco J., Anez-Bustillos, Lorenzo, Entezari, Vahid

2013

Overview

High resolution μCT, and combined μPET/CT have emerged as non-invasive techniques to enhance or even replace dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the current preferred approach for fragility fracture risk assessment. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of µPET/CT imaging to differentiate changes in rat bone tissue density and microstructure induced by metabolic bone diseases more accurately than current available methods. Thirty three rats were divided into three groups of control, ovariectomy and vitamin-D deficiency. At the conclusion of the study, animals were subjected to glucose ((18)FDG) and sodium fluoride (Na(18)F) PET/CT scanning. Then, specimens were subjected to µCT imaging and tensile mechanical testing. Compared to control, those allocated to ovariectomy and vitamin D deficiency groups showed 4% and 22% (significant) increase in (18)FDG uptake values, respectively. DXA-based bone mineral density was higher in the vitamin D deficiency group when compared to the other groups (cortical bone), yet μCT-based apparent and mineral density results were not different between groups. DXA-based bone mineral density was lower in the ovariectomy group when compared to the other groups (cancellous bone); yet μCT-based mineral density results were not different between groups, and the μCT-based apparent density results were lower in the ovariectomy group compared to the other groups. PET and micro-CT provide an accurate three-dimensional measurement of the changes in bone tissue mineral density, as well as microstructure for cortical and cancellous bone and metabolic activity. As osteomalacia is characterized by impaired bone mineralization, the use of densitometric analyses may lead to misinterpretation of the condition as osteoporosis. In contrast, µCT alone and in combination with the PET component certainly provides an accurate three-dimensional measurement of the changes in both bone tissue mineral density, as well as microstructure for cortical and cancellous bone and metabolic activity.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Absorptiometry, Photon / Animal tissues / Animals / Architecture / Biocompatibility / Biomedical materials / Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging / Bone and Bones - ultrastructure / Bone Density / Bone diseases / Bone Diseases, Metabolic - diagnostic imaging / Bone Diseases, Metabolic - etiology / Bone imaging / Bone mineral density / Bones / Bulk density / Calciferol / Cancellous bone / CAT scans / Computed tomography / Cortical bone / Densitometers / Dimensional changes / Dimensional measurement / Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry / Female / Fluorides / Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Fragility / Mechanical properties / Mechanical tests / Medical imaging / Medical schools / Metabolism / Microstructure / Mineralization / NMR / Nuclear magnetic resonance / Older people / Osteomalacia / Osteoporosis / Ovariectomy / Ovariectomy - adverse effects / Positron emission / Positron emission tomography / Radionuclide Imaging / Rats / Rats, Sprague-Dawley / Risk assessment / Sodium / Sodium Fluoride / Studies / Tomography / Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Vitamin D / Vitamin D Deficiency - complications / Vitamin D Deficiency - diagnostic imaging / Vitamin deficiency / X-Ray Microtomography