51 - Effects of Age on Trabecular Bone Density in the Rhesus Macaque Elbow

Poster Board Number: 51
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Abstract Body : Introduction & Objective: As human life expectancy has increased, there has been a rise in age-related diseases that are associated with the deterioration of human skeletal tissue. Bone structure weakens as a result, and quality of life is diminished due to a higher risk for fractures and decreased mobility. In this study, we examined changes in skeletal tissue with aging in a sample of rhesus macaques, a well-known primate translational model for human aging.

Materials & Methods: High resolution microCT scans of the humerus, ulna, and radius were obtained from the Caribbean Primate Research Center - New York University Rhesus Macaque Skeletal Collection. We compared measurements of bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the elbow joint, specifically the distal humerus, proximal ulna, and the proximal radius, across sex and age. We obtained the mean and maximum BV/TV values from whole bone 3-dimensional meshes. Sex-specific analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to determine the relationships between BV/TV, age, and body mass.

Results: Body mass was the main variable associated with BV/TV in both sexes for the distal humerus and proximal ulna, but not for the proximal radius [Distal humerus: female mean (n = 33) p = 0.003; male mean (n = 19) p = 0.004. Proximal ulna: female mean (n = 33) p = 0.048; male mean (n = 17) = 0.017. Proximal radius: female mean (n = 26) p = 0.054; male mean (n = 16) p = 0.129]. No significant association between BV/TV and age was observed in the mean or maximum values in all three skeletal elements for both sexes with the exception of the maximum ulnar BV/TV in males (p = 0.041), which significantly decreased with age.

Significance & Conclusion: In this study sample, bone volume fraction was positively associated with individual body mass. No significant differences were observed between sex or age, with the exception of male maximum ulnar BV/TV. Our results underscore the complexities of trabecular bone structural variation and future research will focus on the impact of other social and physical factors on skeletal tissue.