Objective

The present study aims to investigate early morphological and mineral density changes in bone tissues of Swiss albino mice, one month after the intravenous treatment of thorium [thorium nitrate (1 mg/100 µl); 40 mg/Kg)].

Methods

Synchrotron X-ray micro-tomographic imaging along with detailed quantitative analysis was applied to visualize and quantify morphological and mineral density changes in proximal and distal epiphysis regions of mice femur bone. Serum ALP analysis was done to assess the mechanisms of thorium-induced bone parameter changes.

Results

2D and 3D SR-µCT images are shown to depict morphological changes due to Th. Analysis of calibrated SR-µCT images shows the changes in trabecular bone thickness, volume fractions and connectivity and bone mineral density. The measured level of serum ALP showed a decrease in ALP level in thorium-treated mice.

Conclusions

Our study provides novel insights about the effect of thorium on mice bone tissues morphology and mineral density which may have significant implications in the study of mechanism of thorium interaction with bone tissues. The study also suggests the usefulness of SR-µCT technique for the characterization of heavy metal toxicity-induced structure and mineral density changes in bone samples.