Lugol's solution but not formaldehyde affects bone microstructure and bone mineral density parameters at the insertion site of the rotator cuff in rats.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Feichtinger, Xaver; Heimel, Patrick; Keibl, Claudia; Hercher, David; Schanda, Jakob Emanuel; Kocijan, Roland; Redl, Heinz; Grillari, Johannes; Fialka, Christian; Mittermayr, Rainer
- Source
- Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Research (J ORTHOP SURG RES), 4/13/2021; 16(1): 1-7. (7p)
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1749-799X
Background: This study aimed to investigate whether rodent shoulder specimens fixed in formaldehyde for histological and histomorphometric investigations and specimens stained using Lugol's solution for soft tissue visualization by micro-computed tomography (microCT) are still eligible to be used for bone architecture analysis by microCT. Methods: In this controlled laboratory study, 11 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After sacrifice and exarticulation both shoulders of healthy rats were assigned into three groups: (A) control group (n = 2); (B) formaldehyde group (n = 4); (C) Lugol group (n = 5). Half of the specimens of groups B and C were placed in a 4% buffered formaldehyde or Lugol's solution for 24 h, whereas the contralateral sides and all specimens of group A were stored without any additives. MicroCT of both sides performed in all specimens focused on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure parameters. Results: BMD measurements revealed higher values in specimens after placement in Lugol's solution (p < 0.05). Bone microstructure analyses showed increased BV/TV and Tb.Th values in group C (p < 0.05). Specimens of group C resulted in clearly decreased Tb.Sp values (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. Formaldehyde fixation showed minimally altered BMD and bone microstructure measurements without reaching any significance. Conclusions: MicroCT scans of bone structures are recommended to be conducted natively and immediately after euthanizing rats. MicroCT scans of formaldehyde-fixed specimens must be performed with caution due to a possible slight shift of absolute values of BMD and bone microstructure. Bone analysis of specimens stained by Lugol's solution cannot be recommended.