Decrease in particle-induced osteolysis in obese (ob/ob) mice

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 25; no. 19; pp. 4675 - 4681
• Main Authors: von Knoch, M., Jewison, D.E., Sibonga, J.D., Turner, R.T., Morrey, B.F., Loer, F., Berry, D.J., Scully, S.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Resorption - etiology; Bone Resorption - genetics; Bone Resorption - pathology; Foreign-Body Reaction - complications; Foreign-Body Reaction - pathology; Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Obese; Obesity - complications; Obesity - genetics; Obesity - pathology; Osteoclast; Osteoclasts - pathology; Osteolysis; Osteolysis - complications; Osteolysis - genetics; Osteolysis - pathology; Particle Size; Particulates; Polyethylene; Prosthesis-Related Infections - complications; Prosthesis-Related Infections - genetics; Prosthesis-Related Infections - pathology; Skull - pathology; Skull - surgery; Wear debris; Particulates; Polyethylene; Osteoclast; Wear debris; Osteolysis
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.02.069

There may be variability in the susceptibility of different individuals to osteolysis from wear debris, and it is not clear whether some individuals may have a genetic predisposition for a more marked osteolytic response. The purpose of this study in mice was to determine whether genetically determined obesity can alter the response to particulate debris. Polyethylene particles were implanted onto the calvaria of seven wild-type mice and seven obese mice (ob/ob). Calvaria from unimplanted wild-type and obese mice served as controls. Calvaria were harvested after 7 days, stained with toluidine blue and for tartrate-specific alkaline phosphatase, and analyzed by histomorphometry. The osteoclast number per mm total bone perimeter was 8.000±3.464 in wild-type animals with particles and 2.857±1.676 in ob/ob animals with particles ( p=0.0002; Fisher's PLSD). Bone resorption was 1.895±0.713 mm/mm 2 in wild-type animals with particles and 1.265±0.494 mm/mm 2 in ob/ob animals with particles ( p=0.0438; Fisher's PLSD). Particles induced a diminished osteolytic response in genetically determined obese mice, suggesting that obesity may have a protective role against particle-induced bone resorption—similar to obesity and osteoporosis. These important new findings may help to stimulate clinical studies which may define criteria to better identify patients at risk to develop particle-induced osteolysis.