Alcohol intake during pregnancy reduces offspring bone epiphyseal growth plate chondrocyte proliferation through transforming growth factor ß-1 inhibition in the Sprague Dawley rat humerus.

Intrauterine alcohol exposure delays bone maturation and intensifies osteoporosis and fracture risk. As most studies emphasize the neurological aspects of intrauterine alcohol exposure, there is a lack of research on the implications pertaining to osseous tissue. Previous studies investigated these effects in fetuses, with limited studies on postnatal life. Postnatal studies are crucial since peak bone growth occurs during adolescence. This study aimed at assessing the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the humerus proximal and distal growth plate chondrocytes in 3-week-old rats. Sprague Dawley rats (n=9) were assigned to either the ethanol group (n=3), saline (n=3), and untreated (n=3) group and time-mated. Once pregnant, as confirmed by the presence of a copulation plug, the former 2 groups were treated with 0.015 ml/g of 25.2% ethanol and 0.9% saline. The untreated group received no treatment. The left humeri belonging to 6 pups per group were used. Serial sections were cut with a microtome at 5 µm thickness. These sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for assessment of normal morphology or immunolabeled with anti-Ki-67 and transforming growth factor ß-1 (TGFß-1) antibody. Prenatal alcohol exposure adversely effected the growth plate sizes and the number of cells in the proliferative zone. Fewer TGFß-1 immunopositive and proliferative chondrocytes were found using the anti-Ki-67 antibody. This may explain the growth retardation in offspring exposed to gestational alcohol, showing that gestational alcohol exposure inhibits cell proliferation, aiding the diminished stature.

Distal tibial trabecular morphometry in a Sprague Dawley rat model of fetal alcohol syndrome: a micro focus X-ray computed tomography case-control study.

Introduction: intrauterine alcohol exposure has adverse health effects on the offspring, which may result in fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The neurological and craniofacial aspects have been well studied; however, long bones have received limited attention despite the short stature reported in FASD children. Methods: time-mated (n=13) pregnant Sprague Dawley dams were assigned to either the ethanol (n=5), saline control (n=5) or untreated group (n=3) which received no treatment. The ethanol and saline control dams were treated with 0.015ml/g of 25.2% ethanol or 0.9% saline, respectively. Treatment was for the first 19 days of gestation. Two pups from each dam were used and terminated at 21 days of age. Paired tibiae were harvested. Each bone was scanned using a Nikon XTH 225L 3D-µCT to investigate trabeculae morphometry. Results: the ethanol group had less bone to total volume (BT/TV), thinnest trabeculae (TbTh) which were less spaced (TbSp) compared to the controls. However, number of trabecular (TbN) remained unaffected in all three groups. Tibial length was similar in all three groups; however, the distal metaphysis volume was smallest in the ethanol group. Logistic regression showed that the distal medullary canal area and trabecular separation were the main parameters affected the most in gestational alcohol. The negative correlation of trabecular thickness and spacing in the ethanol group may be a contributor to bone weakness. Conclusion: gestational alcohol exposure affects bone internal morphology in addition to the bone size. Overall, this study supports the findings of clinical observation of small stature in FAS children.

Intrauterine alcohol exposure disturbs trabecular morphology in the Sprague Dawley rat humerus epiphysis up to 3- weeks postnatally / La exposición al alcohol intrauterino altera la morfología trabecular en la epífisis del húmero de la rata Sprague Dawley hasta 3 semanas después del nacimiento

SUMMARY: Gestational alcohol exposure inhibits neurological as well as bone growth and development both in fetal and postnatal life. Stunted stature, osteoporosis and fractures in adult life are some of the adverse effects. While the impact of intrauterine alcohol on the brain has been extensively investigated, studies on the effects on bone are relatively few. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on bone microarchitecture in 3-week-old rats using Micro-focus X-Ray Computed Tomography (Micro CT). Time mated pregnant Sprague Dawley dams (13) were randomly placed into 3 groups: ethanol (n=5), saline control (n=5) and untreated control (n=3). The former 2 groups received treatment with 0.015ml/g of 25.2 % ethanol and 0.9 % saline, respectively, for the first 19 days of gestation. The untreated group received no treatment. The pups remained with their dams until termination at 21 days of age. From each dam, 2 pups were collected resulting in: ethanol (n=10), saline controls (n= 10) and untreated controls (n = 6). The humeri of the pups were dissected and scanned using a 3D-μCT scanner (Nikon XTH 225L) at 15μm resolution. Trabecular and cortical parameters were analysed using Volume Graphics Studio® software following reconstruction. Results showed a decrease in trabecular size, spaces, thickness, and volume. There was a decrease in cortical bone area in the ethanol group compared to the controls. These findings may suggest that osteoporosis and fractures seen as gestational alcohol effects may be due to compromised trabecular structure.

RESUMEN: La exposición al alcohol durante la gestación inhibe el crecimiento y desarrollo neurológico y óseo tanto en la vida fetal como posnatal. Algunos de los efectos adversos incluyen la estatura atrofiada, osteoporosis y fracturas en la vida adulta. Si bien se ha estudiado el impacto del alcohol intrauterino en el cerebro, los estudios sobre los efectos en los huesos son escasos. Por lo tanto, nuestro estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar el impacto de la exposición prenatal al alcohol en la microarquitectura ósea en ratas de 3 semanas de edad utilizando Tomografía Computarizada de Rayos X Micro-focus (Micro CT). Las hembras de Sprague Dawley preñadas con apareamiento temporal (13) se colocaron aleatoriamente en 3 grupos: etanol (n = 5), control de solución salina (n = 5) y control sin tratar (n = 3). Los primeros 2 grupos recibieron tratamiento con 0,015 ml /g de etanol al 25,2 % y solución salina al 0,9 %, respectivamente, durante los primeros 19 días de gestación. El grupo no tratado no recibió tratamiento. Las crías permanecieron con sus madres hasta la terminación a los 21 días de edad. De cada madre, se recolectaron 2 crías que dieron como resultado: etanol (n = 10), controles salinos (n = 10) y controles no tratados (n = 6). Se diseccionaron y escanearon los húmero de las crías usando un escáner 3D-μCT (Nikon XTH 225L) a una resolución de 15 μm. Los parámetros trabeculares y corticales se analizaron utilizando el software Volume Graphics Studio® después de la reconstrucción. Los resultados mostraron una disminución en el tamaño trabecular, los espacios, el grosor y el volumen. Hubo una disminución en el área del hueso cortical en el grupo de etanol en comparación con los controles. Estos hallazgos pueden sugerir que la osteoporosis y las fracturas por causa de los efectos del alcohol gestacional se pueden deber a una estructura trabecular comprometida.

Variations in the configuration of the celiac trunk among South Africans: clinical relevance / Variaciones en la configuración del tronco celíaco en sudafricanos: relevancia clínica

SUMMARY: The celiac trunk is the first major unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta found at the twelfth vertebral level (T12). It gives off branches supplying the spleen, liver and the stomach. However, the branching patterns of the celiac trunk tend to vary by population throughout the world. We sought to investigate the branching patterns of the celiac trunk in a South African Caucasian sample. The celiac trunk was assessed by visual observation in 66 dissected bodies comprised of both males (n= 30) and females (n=36). These samples were obtained at the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The celiac trunk arose directly from the abdominal aorta in all cases, with none connected to the superior mesenteric artery. We observed celiac trunk trifurcation in 84.84 % of the sample, although a celiac trunk with four branches was observed in 10.61 %. Bifurcation into the common hepatic and splenic arteries forming a hepatosplenic trunk (2 females) or into the left gastric artery and splenic artery forming a splenogastric trunk (1 male) was also observed. The results are largely comparable with other studies in Caucasians, showing a high rate of celiac trunk trifurcation (above 75 %). Our sample exhibited fewer variations than reported in previous studies worldwide. Therefore, a larger study with more samples may be required in the future to ascertain all the existing celiac trunk branching patterns in the South African Caucasian population.

RESUMEN: El tronco celíaco es la primera rama principal de la parte abdominal de la aorta en el nivel de la duodécima vértebra torácica (T12), con ramas que irrigan el bazo, el hígado y el estómago. Sin embargo a nivel mundial, las ramificaciones del tronco celíaco tienden a variar según la población. En este estudio se investigaron los patrones de ramificación del tronco celíaco en una muestra caucásica sudafricana. El tronco celíaco se analizó mediante observación visual en 66 cuerpos disecados compuestos por hombres (n = 30) y mujeres (n = 36). Estas muestras se obtuvieron en la Facultad de Ciencias Anatómicas de la Universidad de Witwatersrand, Johannesburgo. El tronco celíaco surgió directamente de la parte abdominal de la aorta en todos los casos, sin que ninguno estuviera unido a la arteria mesentérica superior. Se observó trifurcación del tronco celíaco en el 84,84 % de la muestra, aunque en el 10,61 % se observó un tronco celíaco con cuatro ramas. También se observó bifurcación en las arterias hepática y esplénica común formando un tronco hepatoesplénico (2 mujeres) o en la arteria gástrica izquierda y la arteria esplénica formando un tronco esplenogástrico (1 hombre). Los resultados son comparables con otros estudios en caucásicos que muestran una alta tasa de trifurcación del tronco celíaco (mayor al 75%). Nuestra muestra presentó menos variaciones que las reportadas en estudios previos. Por lo tanto, es posible que se requieran estudios más amplios con más muestras en el futuro, para determinar todos los patrones de ramificación del tronco celíaco en la población caucásica sudafricana.