School of Anatomical Sciences (ETDs)

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Browsing School of Anatomical Sciences (ETDs) by Keyword "Adolescent"

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    Effects of binge alcohol consumption on the development of the femur of adolescent Sprague Dawley rats
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mngoma, Ndabenzinhle Ronald; Bhika, Akaashni
    Excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects bone metabolism, thus resulting in reduced bone length, density, and strength. While excessive alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for osteoporotic fractures, there remains a dearth of information in literature regarding bone effects of binge alcohol consumption in adolescents. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the effects of binge alcohol consumption in an acute and chronic binge model, on the development and growth of the adolescent femur. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats (24 male and 24 female) aged 7 weeks were randomly allocated to one of the 4 treatment groups (n= 12/group) receiving binge alcohol (3g/kg of 20% alcohol) or caloric equivalent of maltose dextrin (pair-fed control), via oral gavage. The treatment groups were; A1, receiving alcohol on 3 alternating days for one week, C1, receiving the caloric equivalent of maltose dextrin in the same manner as A1 (acute), A4 and C4 received treatments in the same manner as A1 and C1 for four consecutive weeks (chronic). Trabecular morphometry in both the proximal and distal epiphysis, and cortical dimensions were assessed by using three-dimensional Micro- Focus X-ray Computed Tomography (3D-μCT) and Volume Graphics Studio® software. The morphology of the epiphyseal growth plate was examined by Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, whereas Ki-67 immunostaining was employed to quantify the proliferation of chondrocytes in the proliferative zone of the growth plate. A three-point bending test was employed to examine the effects of alcohol on bone strength. Results showed that binge alcohol consumption causes thinner trabeculae that are more widely spaced and with a smaller bone to volume ratio (BV/TV). However, the tensile strength was similar in the alcohol exposed rats and paired fed groups in male rats, whereas it appeared improved in female rats exposed to alcohol. A binge model also affected the number of chondrocytes in the proliferative zone negatively. All the adverse changes observed in the osseous tissue in the current study were shown in the male rats. Our study found alcohol to have no adverse effects on female rats, which could be due to hormonal differences.”