Histological and microtomographic study of bone alterations in hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

Objective: To study, histologically and microtomographically, systemic alterations in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Methods: Two groups of 10 animals each were fed for 3 weeks with two different diets: DC, control diet group, and HCD, hypercholesterolemic diet group. After this period, all specimens were euthanized and several parameters were evaluated: lipid profile, liver histology, long bones and jaws histology, and bone mineral density by microtomography.

Results: High serum values of non-HDL cholesterol and hepatic steatosis were observed in the HCD group; alterations in BMD of long bones and jaws were also evidenced, along with cellular changes in both bone types.

Conclusions: This model proves useful for studies of systemic alterations in hypercholesterolemic rats.