Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging Analysis of Cancellous Bone in Alendronate- and Raloxifene-Treated Osteopenic Sheep

Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FTIRI)-assessed bone composition parameters (mineral content, collagen maturity, crystal size and perfection, and carbonate content) describe bone quality and correlate to bone fracture risk. The challenge with studying bone quality in patients treated with antiresorptive drugs such as bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) (e.g. raloxifene) is being able to test bone mechanical performance and material properties pre- and posttreatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the FTIRI changes in a large animal model of osteoporosis (female sheep with dietary induced metabolic acidosis; MA). Previous studies have investigated the relationship between bone material properties and bone strength in humans and smaller animals and have shown that changes in compositional properties influence fracture risk. Here we characterize the MA model at 6 and 12 months, demonstrate the loss of bone and changes in compositional properties, and show that 6 months of treatment with both antiresorptives ameliorate the bone loss as assessed by bone mineral density and FTIRI. This preliminary data suggest that the MA sheep model allows investigation of whether drug treatments preserve bone properties that exist at the time of treatment or if they induce further beneficial changes.