Abstract
We studied influence of mud-bath on bone status in male Wistar rats with subchronic arthritis. Arthritis was induced by 2 subplantar injections of Freund's adjuvans with heat-killed Streptoccocus pyogenes.
Groups: intact (int) on chippings; (con) arthritis on chippings; (san38) arthritis on hot sand; (mu38) arthritis on hot mud; (mu21) arthritis on mild mud. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and femurs were tested biomechanically.
Bone markers osteocalcin, PINP and CTX were analysed in bone. The hot bath appears indifferent in relation to osteoporosis, while cold mud-bath shows good effect on bone metabolism.
The cold mud-baths help to reduce arthritic inflammation and pain and thereby lead to higher mobility with positive consequence on bone. BMD of right femur decreased vs. left in san38 (p=0.030) and mu38.
Fracture load of right/left femur (N) decreased in experimental groups, significantly in san38. Fracture threshold of neck decreased in right vs. left in experimental groups, but significantly in san38.
Osteocalcin decreased in mu38 vs. con. PINP decreased in int vs. san38 and mu21.
CTX decreased in int vs. mu38 and mu21.