Abstract:
The effects of unilateral sciatic neurectomy (USN) on the development of the femur were studied in 15 growing Wistar-derived rats (age, 5 weeks). The rats were divided into four groups: USN-operated group (right femur), USN-nonoperated group (left femur), sham-operated group (right femur), and sham-nonoperated group (left femur). Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone area, periosteal circumference, and endosteal circumference were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and the mineral/matrix ratio was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The USN-operated group showed a significant decrease in cortical BMC, bone area, and periosteal circumference compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The cortical BMD did not vary significantly between the groups. In the cancellous bone, the USN-operated group showed a significant decrease in BMD and BMC at the metaphysis compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The mineral/matrix ratio of the cortical bone did not differ significantly between the USN-operated and USN-nonoperated groups. These results suggest that in cortical bone, USN inhibits periosteal bone formation but has no significant effect on the mineral/matrix ratio of cortical bone in femurs. In cancellous bone, USN induces bone loss at the metaphysis.
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Received: Nov. 19, 1998 / Accepted: Feb. 12, 1999
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Yonezu, H., Ikata, T., Takata, S. et al. Effects of sciatic neurectomy on the femur in growing rats: Application of peripheral quantitative computed tomography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. J Bone Miner Metab 17, 259–265 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007740050093
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007740050093