Work

Ethanol consumption has minimal effects on cancellous bone architecture in femur and lumbar vertebra in two species of non-human primates

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for atraumatic fractures. Our previous work using a non-human primate model of voluntary ethanol consumption showed that chronic ethanol intake for 6 months to 2.5 years decreased global bone turnover and tibial cortical porosity but did not result in changes in distal tibia cancellous architecture. However, bone remodeling varies among skeletal sites. Here, we extended this analysis to include 3 additional cancellous bone compartments (distal femur metaphysis, distal femur epiphysis, lumbar vertebra). Specifically, we applied a machine learning framework to data from 155 monkeys (100 ethanol and 55 controls) to identify the bone features associated with chronic ethanol use. In concordance with our prior findings, we did not find that ethanol consumption resulted in population-level changes in cancellous bone architecture. These findings support the concept that ethanol consumption similarly decreases bone formation and bone resorption across sites, resulting in minimal changes in bone remodeling balance.

Source: Bone

DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2025.117711

Authors: Alibek Zhakubayev, Kathleen A. Grant, Lara H. Sattgast, Russell T. Turner, Urszula T. Iwaniec, Mary Lauren Benton

Institutions: Baylor University, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University

Language: English

Topic: Bone health and osteoporosis research

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,960