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Disuse exaggerates the detrimental effects of alcohol on cortical boneBACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis. However, comorbidity factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related bone fractures. Suboptimal mechanical loading of the skeleton, an established risk factor for bone loss, may occur in some alcohol abusers due to reduced physical activity, muscle atrophy, or both. The effect of alcohol consumption and reduced physical activity on bone metabolism has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mechanical disuse alters bone metabolism in a rat model for chronic alcohol abuse. METHODS: Alcohol was administered in the diet (35% caloric intake) of 6-month-old male rats for 4 weeks. Rats were hindlimb-unloaded the final 2 weeks of the experiment to prevent dynamic weight bearing. Afterward, cortical bone histomorphometry was evaluated at the tibia-fibula synostosis. RESULTS: At the periosteal surface of the tibial diaphysis, alcohol and hindlimb unloading independently decreased the mineralizing perimeter, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate. In addition, alcohol, but not hindlimb unloading, increased endocortical bone resorption. The respective detrimental effects of alcohol and hindlimb unloading to inhibit bone formation were additive; there was no interaction between the two variables. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced weight bearing accentuates the detrimental effects of alcohol on cortical bone in adult male rats by further inhibiting bone formation. This finding suggests that reduced physical activity may be a comorbidity factor for osteoporosis in alcohol abusers.
Document ID
20040087882
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hefferan, Theresa E.
(Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States)
Kennedy, Angela M.
Evans, Glenda L.
Turner, Russell T.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0145-6008
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: AA11140
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Cell Biology
Non-NASA Center

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