Abstract
A controlled laboratory study. The aim of this study was to examine bone damage caused by irradiation to spinal vertebrae in rats. Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of malignant spine tumors. However, a few studies have reported vertebral fractures following radiotherapy as an adverse reaction. There are no reports on irradiation- induced changes in bone fragility, mechanical and structural changes focusing on the spine, and the mechanism of irradiation-induced bone osteoporosis. Eighty-four female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to the 20 Gy irradiated or the nonirradiated (control) group. The lumbar vertebrae were irradiated with an external focal radiation dose of 20 Gy. Biomechanical, structural, and histological analyses were performed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after irradiation. Structural analysis and bone density measurement of vertebral trabecular bone were performed by μCT. Histopathological evaluation was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining. The bone strength at 2 weeks after irradiation (311 ± 23 N) was 22% lower than that before irradiation (398 ± 34 N) (P < 0.05). The trabecular spacing increased, and trabecular connectivity and width decreased significantly in the irradiated group compared with those in the non-irradiated group. The three-dimensional structure model became coarse, and the trabecular structure continued to thin and disrupt after irradiation. There was no significant change in the bone mineral density in both groups. A decrease in bone strength was observed 2 weeks after irradiation. Bone mineral density remained unaltered, whereas the microstructure of trabecular bone changed, suggesting bone damage by irradiation.Level of Evidence: N/A.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.