Changes in Bone Mineral Density and Mechanical Properties Due to Alcohol and Ovariectomy in Trabecular Bone of Female Rats

Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor exacerbating postmenopausal osteoporosis [1,2]. The current study was undertaken to investigate these effects using the rat animal model. Recent studies with rats have shown deleterious effects due to alcohol [3,4], but no significant effects when combined estrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy (OVX) [5]. This last study did not report mechanical properties, however. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of alcohol and OVX on trabecular bone mechanical properties and bone mineral density (BMD) in adult female rats. An important issue in evaluating osteoporosis and related bone maladies clinically is the relation between bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk or incidence. Thus, an additional goal of the current study was to examine the relationships (correlations) between trabecular bone BMD and mechanical properties.