摘要
The study aimed to examine changes in trabecular bone microstructure （TBMS） during the period of 5 weeks after the injury in a rat model of spinal cord injury （SCI）. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats underwent surgical transection of the lower thoracic spinal cord （SCI, n = 16） or sham operation （SHAM, n = 14）. TBMS （tissue volume, bone volume, bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, width, number, separation, connectivity density, and trabecular bone pattern factor）, assessed using a micro-computed tomography, was deteriorated 1, 3 and 5 weeks after SCI. In addition, both bone mass and serum biochemical parameters were determined. Dry bone weight, ash weight, bone mineral content （BMC）, and BMC/tissue-volume were significantly lower in the SCI group than in the SHAM group throughout the experimental period. Serum inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower in the SCI group than in the SHAM group 1 week after the surgery. SCI resulted in rapid deterioration of both bone mass and microstructure. These changes appeared as early as 1 week after SCI. Based on the authors＇ results, it should be noted that in SCI patients, interventions for preventing bone loss should start as soon as possible after the injury.
