Use of X-ray microprobe to diagnose bone tissue demineralization after caffeine administration

Abstract

Caffeine is a methylxanthine which permeates the placenta. In studies on animals, it has been shown to produce teratogenic and embryotoxic effects in large doses. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of caffeine on the development of bone tissue, with particular reference to elemental bone composition using an X-ray microprobe. The research was conducted on rats. The fertilized females were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group was given caffeine orally in 30 mg/day doses from the 8th to the 21st day of pregnancy, while the control group was given water. The fetuses were used to assess the growth and mineralization of the skeleton. On the basis of double dyeing, a qualitative analysis of the bone morphology and mineralization was conducted. For calcium and potassium analysis, an X-ray microprobe was used. In 67 fetuses from the experimental group, changes in skeleton staining with the alcian-alizarin method were noticed. The frequency of the development of variants in the experimental group was statistically higher. In the experimental group,a significant decrease in the calcium level, as well as an increase in the potassium level, was observed. The X-ray microprobe's undoubted advantage is that is offers a quick qualitative and quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the examined samples. Employing this new technique may furnish us with new capabilities when investigating the essence of the pathology process.

Caffeine at a Moderate Dose Did Not Affect the Skeletal System of Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

“…A tendency to worsen bone was also observed in old ovariectomized rats [ 31 ]. In most of those studies [ 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] caffeine was administered in higher doses than that used in the present study; in the rest of the cited studies [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 ], unfavorable effects of caffeine administered with the diet at doses of 10 or 20 mg/kg body weight were demonstrated. In our study, caffeine was administered once daily.…”

“…Data on the effect of caffeine on bone in experimental conditions are inconsistent. Although the majority of previously published reports on the studies of caffeine administered at different doses for various periods of time to rats demonstrated rather its adverse skeletal effects [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], we have shown that caffeine administration at a moderate dose of 20 mg/kg per os (p.o.) once daily (by oral gavage) slightly counteracted the development of osteoporosis induced by estrogen deficiency [ 25 ].…”

“…Results of our studies are contradictory to the majority of reports published so far on effects of caffeine on the skeletal system in rats. In vivo experimental studies demonstrated the unfavorable effects of caffeine on prenatal development [ 27 , 28 , 38 ], and the skeletal system of young, rapidly growing rats [ 30 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 41 , 42 ], pregnant rats [ 37 ], and on bone healing [ 35 , 39 , 40 ]. A tendency to worsen bone was also observed in old ovariectomized rats [ 31 ].…”

Favorable effect of moderate dose caffeine on the skeletal system in ovariectomized rats

“…So far, experimental in vivo studies on the skeletal effects of caffeine indicated the deleterious effects of caffeine on prenatal development , and bones of young, rapidly growing rats or pregnant rats , as well as bone healing . A tendency to impair bone parameters was also found in old ovariectomized rats .…”

Caffeine Inhibits Acetylcholinesterase, But Not Butyrylcholinesterase

“…The implication in the acetylcholine-based neurotransmission is plausibly verified [25]. Caffeine regulatory potency in the body is an object of extensive research, and some of the caffeine related pathways probably remain unrevealed [26]. The present paper describes the search on caffeine potency to modulate the activity of cholinesterases, a crucial part of the cholinergic system.…”