Low-intensity ultrasound stimulation prevents osteoporotic bone loss in young adult ovariectomized mice.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass, increased bone fragility, and a greater risk for bone fracture. Currently, pharmacological intervention can generally aid in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, but these therapies are often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Therefore, alternative therapies that minimize side effects are necessary. Biophysical stimuli, especially low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (LIUS), may be potential alternatives to drug-based therapies for osteoporosis. Hence, we sought to address whether LIUS therapy can effectively prevent or treat osteoporotic bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. LIUS (1.5 MHz frequency, 1.0 kHz pulse repetition on frequency, 30 mW/cm(2) intensity, 200 µs pulse length) was applied to right tibiae of eight 14-week-old ovariectomized virgin ICR female mice for 20 min per day, 5 days per week, over a 6-week period. Changes in 3D structural bone characteristics were detected using in vivo micro-computed tomography. Left tibiae served as controls. Structural characteristics including bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number, trabecular bone pattern factor, and mean polar moment inertia were significantly enhanced 6 weeks after LIUS compared to the control, nonstimulated group (p < 0.05). In particular, the bone volume/tissue volume in the region exposed directly to LIUS was significantly higher in the treated group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that new bone formation may be activated or that bone structure may be maintained by LIUS, and that LIUS may be effective for preventing estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.
Lim
Dohyung
D
Gerontechnology Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Cheonan, Chungnam 330-825, Korea.
Ko
Chang-Yong
CY
Seo
Dong Hyun
DH
Woo
Dae Gon
DG
Kim
Jin Man
JM
Chun
Keyoung Jin
KJ
Kim
Han Sung
HS
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy