Early Increase in Osteoclast Number in Mice after Whole-Body Irradiation with 2 Gy X Rays

Abstract Willey, J. S., Lloyd, S. A. J., Robbins, M. E., Bourland, J. D., Smith-Sielicki, H., Bowman, L. C., Norrdin, R. W. and Bateman, T. A. Early Increase in Osteoclast Number in Mice after Whole-Body Irradiation with 2 Gy X Rays. Radiat. Res. 170, 388–392 (2008). Bone loss is a consequence of exposure to high-dose radiotherapy. While damage to bone vasculature and reduced proliferation of bone-forming osteoblasts has been implicated in this process, the effect of radiation on the number and activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts has not been characterized. In this study, we exposed mice to a whole-body dose of 2 Gy of X rays to quantify the early effects of radiation on osteoclasts and bone structural properties. Female C57BL/6 mice (13 weeks old) were divided into two groups: irradiated and nonirradiated controls. Animals were killed humanely 3 days after radiation exposure. Analysis of serum chemistry revealed a 14% increase in the concentration of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-5b, a ma...