Vol 49, No 3 (2011)
Original paper
Published online: 2011-10-28
The influence of caffeine on the biomechanical properties of bone tissue during pregnancy in a population of rats
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0071
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(3):504-511.
Abstract
The influence of pregnancy on bone tissue metabolism is not completely understood. Caffeine also
has a potentially negative influence on bones. The aim of this study was the evaluation of changes in the bones of
pregnant rats under the influence of caffeine. The experiment was carried out on Wistar rats. The evaluation of
rats’ bone tissue quality was performed based on bone density measurements and resistance examinations. It
analyzed the impact of caffeine on the degree of bone tissue mineralization and the composition of the bones.
The mean value of pelvises ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ densities in a group of pregnant rats with caffeine intake was lower
compared to the control group. The deformation in maximal load point of the femur shaft in the experimental
group was significantly higher than in the control group. In the experimental group, the percentage of water in
the bones was significantly higher, while the content of inorganic phase was significantly lower compared to the
control group. The changes of biomechanical parameters in the group of pregnant rats with caffeine intake
indicate its negative influence on the bone. Our results show higher plasticization of the bone shafts of the
animals under the influence of caffeine. Higher deformation of bone shafts may have an effect on the statics of
the skeleton. The administration of caffeine significantly affected the quantitative composition of the bone.
(Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 504–511)
Keywords: caffeinepregnancybone tissuestatic mechanical properties
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