Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing

Background: Of the proposed animal interbody fusion models, rat caudal discs have gained popularity in disc research due to their strong resemblance to human discs with respect to geometry, composition and mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an efficient, repeatable an...

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Main Authors: Yu-Cheng Yeh, Cheng-Chun Yang, Ching-Lung Tai, Tsung-Ting Tsai, Po-Liang Lai, Tsai-Sheng Fu, Chi-Chien Niu, Lih-Huei Chen, Wen-Jer Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2017-02-01
Series:Biomedical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417017300203
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spelling doaj-54079c561f794d96b5b51fc1614dc5342021-02-02T02:08:31ZengElsevierBiomedical Journal2319-41702017-02-01401626810.1016/j.bj.2016.07.002Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testingYu-Cheng Yeh0Cheng-Chun Yang1Ching-Lung Tai2Tsung-Ting Tsai3Po-Liang Lai4Tsai-Sheng Fu5Chi-Chien Niu6Lih-Huei Chen7Wen-Jer Chen8Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Medical Education, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Section, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, TaiwanBackground: Of the proposed animal interbody fusion models, rat caudal discs have gained popularity in disc research due to their strong resemblance to human discs with respect to geometry, composition and mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an efficient, repeatable and easily accessible animal model of interbody fusion for future research into mechanical testing and graft materials. Methods: Twelve 12-week-old female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats underwent caudal interbody fusion of the third and fourth coccygeal vertebrae of the tail. Serial radiological evaluation, and histological evaluation and manual palpation after sacrifice were performed to assess the fusion quality. Mechanical testing of functional units (FUs) of non-operated and operated segments was compared using a three-point bending test. Results: At postoperative 12 weeks, callus formation was observed at the fusion sites in all rats, with the mean radiological evaluations of 2.75/3 according to the Bransford classification. Newly formed bone tissue was also observed in all rats with the mean histological score of 5.85/7, according to the Emery grading system. No palpable gaps and obvious change of bending stiffness was observed in the operated segments. The mean bending stiffness of the FUs was statistically higher than that of the control FUs (26.57 ± 6.71 N/mm vs. 12.45 ± 3.21 N/mm, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The rat caudal disc interbody fusion model proved to be an efficient, repeatable and easily accessible model. Future research into adjuvant treatments like growth factor injection and alternative fusion materials under conditions of osteoporosis using this model would be worthwhile.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417017300203Interbody fusionRat caudal discsAnimal interbody fusion modelMechanical testing
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yu-Cheng Yeh
Cheng-Chun Yang
Ching-Lung Tai
Tsung-Ting Tsai
Po-Liang Lai
Tsai-Sheng Fu
Chi-Chien Niu
Lih-Huei Chen
Wen-Jer Chen
spellingShingle Yu-Cheng Yeh
Cheng-Chun Yang
Ching-Lung Tai
Tsung-Ting Tsai
Po-Liang Lai
Tsai-Sheng Fu
Chi-Chien Niu
Lih-Huei Chen
Wen-Jer Chen
Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
Biomedical Journal
Interbody fusion
Rat caudal discs
Animal interbody fusion model
Mechanical testing
author_facet Yu-Cheng Yeh
Cheng-Chun Yang
Ching-Lung Tai
Tsung-Ting Tsai
Po-Liang Lai
Tsai-Sheng Fu
Chi-Chien Niu
Lih-Huei Chen
Wen-Jer Chen
author_sort Yu-Cheng Yeh
title Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
title_short Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
title_full Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
title_fullStr Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: An implication for future material and mechanical testing
title_sort characterization of a novel caudal vertebral interbody fusion in a rat tail model: an implication for future material and mechanical testing
publisher Elsevier
series Biomedical Journal
issn 2319-4170
publishDate 2017-02-01
description Background: Of the proposed animal interbody fusion models, rat caudal discs have gained popularity in disc research due to their strong resemblance to human discs with respect to geometry, composition and mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an efficient, repeatable and easily accessible animal model of interbody fusion for future research into mechanical testing and graft materials. Methods: Twelve 12-week-old female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats underwent caudal interbody fusion of the third and fourth coccygeal vertebrae of the tail. Serial radiological evaluation, and histological evaluation and manual palpation after sacrifice were performed to assess the fusion quality. Mechanical testing of functional units (FUs) of non-operated and operated segments was compared using a three-point bending test. Results: At postoperative 12 weeks, callus formation was observed at the fusion sites in all rats, with the mean radiological evaluations of 2.75/3 according to the Bransford classification. Newly formed bone tissue was also observed in all rats with the mean histological score of 5.85/7, according to the Emery grading system. No palpable gaps and obvious change of bending stiffness was observed in the operated segments. The mean bending stiffness of the FUs was statistically higher than that of the control FUs (26.57 ± 6.71 N/mm vs. 12.45 ± 3.21 N/mm, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The rat caudal disc interbody fusion model proved to be an efficient, repeatable and easily accessible model. Future research into adjuvant treatments like growth factor injection and alternative fusion materials under conditions of osteoporosis using this model would be worthwhile.
topic Interbody fusion
Rat caudal discs
Animal interbody fusion model
Mechanical testing
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417017300203
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