Labyrinthectomy decreases bone mineral density in the femoral metaphysis in rats

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Levasseur, Régis^{a; *} | Sabatier, Jean Pierre^b | Etard, Olivier^c | Denise, Pierre^c | Reber, Annie^d

Affiliations: [a] Service de rhumatologie, CHU Caen, 14033 Caen cedex, France | [b] Service de Médecine nucléaire, CHU Caen, 14033 Caen cedex, France | [c] Laboratoire de Physiologie, UFR Medecine, 14032 Caen cedex, France | [d] Laboratoire de Neurosciences et Environnement, EA 2122 UFR Sciences, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 2 31 06 47 49; Fax: +33 2 31 06 49 63; E-mail: levasseur-r@wanadoo.fr

Abstract: To determine whether the vestibular system could influence bone remodeling in rats, we measured bone mineral density with dual energy X-rays absorptiometry before and 30 days after bilateral labyrinthectomy. Comparatively to intact control rats, labyrinthectomized animals showed a reduced bone mineral density in distal femoral metaphysis (p = 0.007): the variations between D0 and D30 were +3.0% for controls and -13.9% for labyrinthectomized rats. No significant difference between the 2 groups was observed in the whole body mineral density. These results suggest that the peripheral vestibular apparatus is a modulator of bone mass and more specifically in weight bearing bone. We discuss possible mechanisms of this vestibular influence probably mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Keywords: vestibular system, bone mineral density, sympathetic nervous system, vascular system, rat

DOI: 10.3233/VES-2004-14501

Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 361-365, 2004