The Creation of a Rat Model for Osteosarcopenia via Ovariectomy

Summary

This current protocol outlines a procedure for creating a rat model of osteosarcopenia using ovariectomy.

Abstract

Osteosarcopenia (OS), a complex degenerative disorder, is characterized by the concurrent decline in skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD), posing an enormous health hazard for the elderly population. Despite its clinical relevance, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying OS are not fully understood, underscoring the necessity for a deeper comprehension of its etiology to facilitate effective treatment strategies. The development of a reliable animal model is pivotal in this endeavor. This study presents a refined protocol for the induction of postmenopausal osteosarcopenia in rats through bilateral ovariectomy, a method known to accelerate the onset of age-related muscle and bone loss. In this study, rats aged 12 weeks were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned to either a sham operation group or an ovariectomized (OVX) group. Tissue samples from the quadriceps and triceps muscles of the left hind limb, as well as the left femur, were systematically collected at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-surgery. This methodical approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of ovariectomy on muscle and bone health. Histological evaluation of muscle fiber atrophy and femoral morphology was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, while bone mineral density was quantified using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The temporal progression of OS was meticulously monitored at the aforementioned intervals, providing insights into the dynamic interplay between muscle and bone degeneration. This model not only accurately reflects the clinical manifestations of OS but also serves as a robust platform for investigating novel therapeutic approaches and their underlying mechanisms.

Introduction

Osteosarcopenia is a multifaceted degenerative condition that encapsulates the clinical manifestations of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia^1,2,3,4. Osteoporosis, a prevalent skeletal disorder, is characterized by diminished bone mass, compromised microarchitecture, and heightened susceptibility to fractures. Sarcopenia, often referred to as muscle wasting syndrome, is typified by a reduction in muscle strength and mass^5,6. Maryam's⁷ findings revealed that o....

Protocol

Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 36), aged 12 weeks and weighing approximately 200-240 g, were housed individually in ventilated cages in a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) animal room with a 12-h light/dark cycle. They had free access to SPF feed and sterile water. The rats were allowed to acclimate to the environment for a week before the experiments. Using random allocation, the rats were divided into ovariectomized (OVX) groups (each with 6 rats) and sham groups (each with 6 rats) for 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-surgery. All animal procedures were carried out following the approved guidelines of the animal welfare committee at Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Med....

Discussion

The bilateral ovariectomized animal model is instrumental in elucidating the mechanisms underlying osteosarcopenia and assessing potential therapeutic interventions. Ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats, which mirrors the abrupt decrease in estrogen levels seen in postmenopausal women, is commonly employed as a model for osteoporosis research. Furthermore, research has highlighted a significant association between osteoporosis and sarcopenia in older individuals, with concurrent muscle and bone loss frequently observ.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Double lion Irradiated Rodent Diet	Suzhou Shuangshi Experimental Animal Feed Technology Co., Ltd.	GB 14924.3	Animal feed
Disposable medication changing tray	Yangzhou Chenglin Medical Technology Co., Ltd.	RVnpFXLc
Dual Energy X-ray Bone Densitometer	Xuzhou PinyuanElectronic Technology Co., Ltd.	DXA-800E
Iodine	Shanghai Likang Sterilization Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.	LK-310512
IVCs rat cage	Suzhou Monkey King Animal Experimental Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.	HH-MMB-2	Animal barrier
Penicillin sodium	North China Pharmaceutical Group Limited Liability  Co., Ltd.	H13020654
sodium pentobarbital	Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO	P3761-5G
Sterile cotton ball	Henan Piaoan Group Co., Ltd	20140017
Straight Mayo scissors	Shenzhen Huayang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	18-0410
Straight needle holder	Shanghai Simplicity Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	32100-14
Suture line	Shenzhen Huayang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	18-5902
Suture needle	Shenzhen Huayang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	18-5036
Syringes	Shenzhen Huayang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	21-3021