Comparative bone analysis via inflammation-mediated osteopenia (IMO) in the rat

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Abstract
Various methods exist for determination of trabecular or total bone mass in animal experiments. There is one group of simple techniques not requiring sophisticated equipment focusing on bone-calcium determination. By contrast, another group of newer methods requires complex equipment for procedures such as computerized analysis of bone X-rays or of nondecalcified bone sections. The methods of the first group require considerable time to perform, whereas those of the second group allow a great number of analyses in a short time. We have adapted the computerized techniques to the determination of rat-bone mass and then compared both types of methodology using the new animal model for pathological loss of bone mass: the syndrome of inflammation-mediated osteopenia (IMO) in rats [1, 2]. Reliable results were obtained with both approaches, but we recommend the use of one of the new techniques in cases where a large number of analyses is required.