USE OF FLUORIDE FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF BONE REMODELLING IN RATS AND HUMAN BEINGS

We examined a new method, based on the retention of fluoride (F), for estimating bone remodelling in rats and human beings. We tested the validity of the new methodology by comparing normal Sprague Dawley rats (Controls, n=20) to ovariectomized rats with high bone remodelling (OVX, n=20). We found that the mean +/- SD for both bone formation (BF) and bone resorption (BR) in the OVX rats were significantly higher (p<0.05, Student's t-test) than in the Controls (Controls BF=10.28 +/- 4.54, OVX BF=20.33 +/- 19.00; Controls BR=8.18 +/- 4.86, OVX BR=18.41 +/- 17.93 nmole F/min). The new method was also tested in human volunteers (n=10) and found not to have any side effects. Three of the advantages of the new technique, in comparison to the use of bone remodelling markers, were: (i) BF and BR can be measured simultaneously, (ii) the real rates of BF and BR are measured, and (iii) it is a low cost technique. The new method was validated and found to be useful for estimating bone remodelling in both rats and human beings.