Lelovas Pavlos P, Xanthos Theodoros T, Thoma Sofia E, Lyritis George P, Dontas Ismene A
Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
Comp Med. 2008 Oct;58(5):424-30.
Osteoporosis is an important systemic disorder, affecting mainly Caucasian women, with a diverse and multifactorial etiology. A large variety of animal species, including rodents, rabbits, dogs, and primates, have been used as animal models in osteoporosis research. Among these, the laboratory rat is the preferred animal for most researchers. Its skeleton has been studied extensively, and although there are several limitations to its similarity to the human condition, these can be overcome through detailed knowledge of its specific traits or with certain techniques. The rat has been used in many experimental protocols leading to bone loss, including hormonal interventions (ovariectomy, orchidectomy, hypophysectomy, parathyroidectomy), immobilization, and dietary manipulations. The aim of the current review is not only to present the ovariectomized rat and its advantages as an appropriate model for the research of osteoporosis, but also to provide information about the most relevant age and bone site selection according to the goals of each experimental protocol. In addition, several methods of bone mass evaluation are assessed, such as biochemical markers, densitometry, histomorphometry, and bone mechanical testing, that are used for monitoring and evaluation of this animal model in preventive or therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
骨质疏松症是一种重要的全身性疾病，主要影响白种女性，其病因多样且具有多因素性。包括啮齿动物、兔子、狗和灵长类动物在内的多种动物物种已被用作骨质疏松症研究的动物模型。其中，实验大鼠是大多数研究人员首选的动物。其骨骼已得到广泛研究，尽管它与人类情况的相似性存在一些局限性，但可以通过详细了解其特定特征或采用某些技术来克服。大鼠已被用于许多导致骨质流失的实验方案中，包括激素干预（卵巢切除术、睾丸切除术、垂体切除术、甲状旁腺切除术）、固定和饮食操作。本综述的目的不仅是介绍去卵巢大鼠及其作为骨质疏松症研究合适模型的优点，还根据每个实验方案的目标提供有关最相关的年龄和骨部位选择的信息。此外，还评估了几种骨量评估方法，如生化标志物、骨密度测定、组织形态计量学和骨力学测试，这些方法用于在骨质疏松症的预防或治疗策略中监测和评估这种动物模型。
