A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study

BackgroundIn vitro biomechanical testing is crucial for the preclinical assessment of novel implant designs. Given the constraints of limited supply and high costs associated with human specimens, calf spines are frequently employed as surrogates for human spines in both in vivo and in vitro biomech...

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Main Authors: Anli Shi, Yijie Liu, Qiang Ma, Jiaxin Li, Jiawang Fan, Zhaohui Ge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1527800/full
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author Anli Shi
Anli Shi
Yijie Liu
Qiang Ma
Jiaxin Li
Jiawang Fan
Zhaohui Ge
Zhaohui Ge
author_facet Anli Shi
Anli Shi
Yijie Liu
Qiang Ma
Jiaxin Li
Jiawang Fan
Zhaohui Ge
Zhaohui Ge
author_sort Anli Shi
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIn vitro biomechanical testing is crucial for the preclinical assessment of novel implant designs. Given the constraints of limited supply and high costs associated with human specimens, calf spines are frequently employed as surrogates for human spines in both in vivo and in vitro biomechanical studies.MethodsThis study selected 60 spinal vertebrae from calves aged between 12 and 18 weeks. The specimens were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, A and B, each comprising 30 specimens. Group A served as the control without decalcification, while Group B underwent decalcification using an 18.3% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid solution. The impact of decalcification was assessed through histological, imaging, and biomechanical analyses.FindingsDecalcification took approximately 2 months, resulting in osteoporotic vertebrae with a bone mineral density reduction of approximately 50.89% compared to pre-decalcification levels. The bone microstructure was significantly altered, characterized by a decrease in trabecular thickness and number and an increase in trabecular separation. Additionally, the trabecular bone pattern factor (TBPf) and Structure Model Index (SMI) increased. The modulus of elasticity, yield stress, and ultimate stress of the vertebral bodies were all reduced in correlation with the decrease in bone mineral density, demonstrating a strong correlation between these parameters.InterpretationThe data from this study indicate that the decalcification method is effective and capable of rapidly establishing an osteoporotic model suitable for biomechanical testing of clinical devices. This method offers the benefits of ease of operation, reliability, and a controllable degree of osteoporosis.
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spelling doaj-art-9b3912b25743457f91c5a742b4ffb2942025-02-05T07:31:56ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-02-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15278001527800A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical studyAnli Shi0Anli Shi1Yijie Liu2Qiang Ma3Jiaxin Li4Jiawang Fan5Zhaohui Ge6Zhaohui Ge7The First Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaCollege of Basic Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, ChinaBackgroundIn vitro biomechanical testing is crucial for the preclinical assessment of novel implant designs. Given the constraints of limited supply and high costs associated with human specimens, calf spines are frequently employed as surrogates for human spines in both in vivo and in vitro biomechanical studies.MethodsThis study selected 60 spinal vertebrae from calves aged between 12 and 18 weeks. The specimens were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, A and B, each comprising 30 specimens. Group A served as the control without decalcification, while Group B underwent decalcification using an 18.3% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid solution. The impact of decalcification was assessed through histological, imaging, and biomechanical analyses.FindingsDecalcification took approximately 2 months, resulting in osteoporotic vertebrae with a bone mineral density reduction of approximately 50.89% compared to pre-decalcification levels. The bone microstructure was significantly altered, characterized by a decrease in trabecular thickness and number and an increase in trabecular separation. Additionally, the trabecular bone pattern factor (TBPf) and Structure Model Index (SMI) increased. The modulus of elasticity, yield stress, and ultimate stress of the vertebral bodies were all reduced in correlation with the decrease in bone mineral density, demonstrating a strong correlation between these parameters.InterpretationThe data from this study indicate that the decalcification method is effective and capable of rapidly establishing an osteoporotic model suitable for biomechanical testing of clinical devices. This method offers the benefits of ease of operation, reliability, and a controllable degree of osteoporosis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1527800/fullosteoporosislumbar spinemodelhistologybiomechanics
spellingShingle Anli Shi
Anli Shi
Yijie Liu
Qiang Ma
Jiaxin Li
Jiawang Fan
Zhaohui Ge
Zhaohui Ge
A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
osteoporosis
lumbar spine
model
histology
biomechanics
title A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
title_full A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
title_fullStr A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
title_full_unstemmed A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
title_short A rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae: histological and biomechanical study
title_sort rapid method for the preparation of an in vitro osteoporosis model of calf vertebrae histological and biomechanical study
topic osteoporosis
lumbar spine
model
histology
biomechanics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1527800/full
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