Large animal model for osteoporosis in humans: the ewe.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Large animal model for osteoporosis in humans: the ewe.

AU - Oheim, Ralf

AU - Amling, Michael

AU - Ignatius, A

AU - Pogoda, Pia

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Osteoporosis is a chronic systemic disease characterised by bone loss and microarchitectural deterioration. Since the underlying regulatory mechanisms are still not fully understood and treatment options are not satisfactorily resolved, massive efforts are underway to further investigate this critical illness. Large animal models are stipulated, e.g. by the Food and Drug Administration, for preclinical prevention and intervention studies related to osteoporosis research; in this context, the ewe has already proven its value for orthopaedic research. Although oestrogen deficiency doubtless influences bone metabolism in sheep, the ovariectomised ewe seems unsuitable as a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis and bone loss induction due to its unreliable impact on bone mass and structure. In contrast, glucocorticoid treatment has a major impact on bone turnover and leads to bone conditions comparable to those found in steroid-treated humans. However, adverse side effects can be dramatic resulting in unacceptable discomfort and illness of the experimental animals. Further improvements are therefore essential to judge this model as ethically appropriate. Additionally, models for osteoporosis induced by surgical interventions of central regulatory mechanisms seem to be attractive, as remarkable bone loss is induced by only one surgical procedure without any further treatment. Taken together, different ewe models for osteoporosis have been successfully established and are invaluable for orthopaedic research. However, the search for a 'perfect' large remodelling animal model - in terms of mimicking the human disease and compatibility of bone loss, and without ethical concerns - is still on-going.

AB - Osteoporosis is a chronic systemic disease characterised by bone loss and microarchitectural deterioration. Since the underlying regulatory mechanisms are still not fully understood and treatment options are not satisfactorily resolved, massive efforts are underway to further investigate this critical illness. Large animal models are stipulated, e.g. by the Food and Drug Administration, for preclinical prevention and intervention studies related to osteoporosis research; in this context, the ewe has already proven its value for orthopaedic research. Although oestrogen deficiency doubtless influences bone metabolism in sheep, the ovariectomised ewe seems unsuitable as a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis and bone loss induction due to its unreliable impact on bone mass and structure. In contrast, glucocorticoid treatment has a major impact on bone turnover and leads to bone conditions comparable to those found in steroid-treated humans. However, adverse side effects can be dramatic resulting in unacceptable discomfort and illness of the experimental animals. Further improvements are therefore essential to judge this model as ethically appropriate. Additionally, models for osteoporosis induced by surgical interventions of central regulatory mechanisms seem to be attractive, as remarkable bone loss is induced by only one surgical procedure without any further treatment. Taken together, different ewe models for osteoporosis have been successfully established and are invaluable for orthopaedic research. However, the search for a 'perfect' large remodelling animal model - in terms of mimicking the human disease and compatibility of bone loss, and without ethical concerns - is still on-going.

KW - Animals

KW - Female

KW - Bone Density

KW - Diet

KW - Disease Models, Animal

KW - Estrogens/metabolism

KW - Glucocorticoids/metabolism

KW - Menopause/metabolism

KW - Osteoporosis/etiology

KW - Sheep, Domestic

KW - Animals

KW - Female

KW - Bone Density

KW - Diet

KW - Disease Models, Animal

KW - Estrogens/metabolism

KW - Glucocorticoids/metabolism

KW - Menopause/metabolism

KW - Osteoporosis/etiology

KW - Sheep, Domestic

U2 - 10.22203/ecm.v024a27

DO - 10.22203/ecm.v024a27

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 372

EP - 385

JO - EUR CELLS MATER

JF - EUR CELLS MATER

SN - 1473-2262

ER -