Effect of hyperlipidemia on femoral biomechanics and morphology in low-density lipoprotein receptor gene knockout mice

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperlipidemia on the biomechanical and morphological properties of the femur of low-density lipoprotein receptor gene knockout mice (LDLr−/−) mice. Ten wild-type mice (C57BL6) and 10 LDLr−/− mice generated on a C57BL6 background were used. Male 3-month-old animals were divided into four groups ( n = 5): group W (wild type) and group L (LDLr−/−) receiving low-fat commercial ration, and group WH (wild type) and group LH (LDLr−/−) receiving a high-fat diet. After 60 days, blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis of calcium, triglycerides, and cholesterol. The femur was excised for mechanical testing and morphometric analysis. LDLr−/− mice receiving the high-fat diet presented more marked alterations in the mechanical and morphological properties of femoral cortical and trabecular bone. Changes in the plasma levels of calcium, triglycerides, cholesterol, and fractions were also more pronounced in this group. The present results demonstrate that hyperlipidemia causes alterations in the structure and mechanical properties of the femur of LDLr−/− mice. These effects were more pronounced when associated with a high-fat diet.