Uranium inhibits bone formation in physiologic alveolar bone modeling and remodeling.

The toxic effect of uranium (U) on bone modeling and remodeling was studied by performing histomorphometric measurements in the periodontal cortical bone of rats. Two different single intraperitoneal doses of uranyl nitrate (238U) were administered to two sets of rats respectively (2 and 0.8 mg/kg body wt). Rats treated with the first dose were killed 14 days postinjection (PI) and those treated with the second were killed 14, 30, and 60 days PI. The results revealed a decrease in bone formation in rats treated with uranium. On the remodeling side the decrease in bone formation was coupled to an increase in bone resorption on the 14th day PI. On the modeling side no bone resorption was observed and the decrease in bone formation was linked to an increase in resting bone zones. Bone formation depression as a key event in U intoxication is stressed.