Journal of Applied Physiology Ad Instruments
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 99: 173-180, 2005. First published March 10, 2005; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00845.2004
8750-7587/05 $8.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text Free
Right arrow Full Text (PDF) Free
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
99/1/173    most recent
00845.2004v1
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (1)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lentle, R. G.
Right arrow Articles by Kruger, M. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lentle, R. G.
Right arrow Articles by Kruger, M. C.

Changes in mineralization and biomechanics of tibial metaphyses in splinted rats

R. G. Lentle and M. C. Kruger

Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Submitted 5 August 2004 ; accepted in final form 25 February 2005

The effect of 3 wk of splintage of a single hindlimb on the midarea and mineral content of both tibial metaphyses was assessed immediately after splint removal and after 1 mo of mobilization in 12-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Immobilization reduced tibial metaphyseal bone mineral density (BMD) in immobilized limbs compared with "free" limbs of splinted animals and with controls. These changes persisted and were accentuated by relatively greater increases in tibial metaphyseal BMDs of unsplinted (control) animals after 7 wk. Immediately after splintage, tibial metaphyseal areas and total mineral contents of both hindlimbs of splinted animals were reduced compared with those of unsplinted animals. However, the relationship between mineralization and area differed between the free and immobilized limbs of splinted animals. The breaking strain and the breaking energy of immobilized and free femurs of splinted animals were impaired 4 wk after the removal of the splint. This impairment was correlated with an effect of splintage on femoral size with some additional local effect from immobilization. Thus osteoporotic changes consequent on immobilization include both local effects on mineralization and general effects on growth, which may separately influence the elastic properties of bone.

disuse osteoporosis


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: R. G. Lentle, Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey Univ., Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand (E-mail: R.G.Lentle{at}massey.ac.nz)






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online
Copyright © 2005 by the American Physiological Society.