Steroid-associated osteonecrosis animal model in rats

Zheng, Li-Zhen; Wang, Jia-Li; Kong, Ling; Huang, Le; Tian, Li; Pang, Qian-Qian; Wang, Xin-Luan; Qin, Ling

We hypothesised that a combination of LPS and MPS injections described above might also be able to induce SAON in rats. Accordingly, we evaluated the induction protocol at two time points, i.e., 2 and 6 weeks after SAON induction. We used different evaluation approaches to examine the effects of LPS and MPS in inducing metabolic disorders on the bone and other affected tissues. Histological examination was used to identify osteonecrotic lesions in bilateral femora and bilateral tibiae. Metabolic dual energy Xray absorptiometry (DXA) was used for evaluation of tissue composition, i.e., fat and lean composition, to evaluate the effects of corticosteroid on fat and muscle metabolism. Serum bone turnover markers were quantified for determining the dynamics of bone turnover in this corticosteroid-affected metabolic bone disorder. Angiography in bone marrow was imaged and evaluated by Microfil perfusion and micro-CT to define the vessel changes. Liver histopathology was used to identify the metabolic disorders in the liver. Establishing and validating preclinical disease models are essential for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and testing prevention and/or treatment concept(s) with targeted mechanisms.