Quantitative associations between osteocyte density and biomechanics, microcrack and microstructure in OVX rats vertebral trabeculae.
Osteocytes actively regulate bone modeling and remodeling, direct skeletal mineralization, and regulate calcium/phosphate homeostasis and extracellular matrix metabolism; yet the specific role of osteocytes in maintaining bone structural integrity and strength is unknown. Studies have shown that the density of osteocytes decreases with age and estrogen deficiency, as seen in postmenopausal women. Here, we examined the relationships between osteocyte density and the related variables, including biomechanics, bone mineral density, microcrack and microstructure of vertebral trabeculae, in ovariectomized rats. We found that osteocyte density correlated with some of the parameters that determine the biomechanical quality of bone. Our findings suggest that osteocytes could play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical quality of bone, and osteocyte density could be considered as an alternative index in assessing bone quality.
Ma
Yu-Lin
YL
Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, PR China.
Dai
Ru-Chun
RC
Sheng
Zhi-Feng
ZF
Jin
Yan
Y
Zhang
Yu-Hai
YH
Fang
Ling-Na
LN
Fan
Hui-Jie
HJ
Liao
Er-Yuan
EY
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density; D002452:Cell Count; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014054:Tomography
D004967:Estrogens