Fig. 7: Opg and RankL mRNA expression in cortical bone under unloading condition.
From: Time-dependent unloading effects on muscle and bone and involvement of FNDC5/irisin axis
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) showing mRNA expression levels of Opg (a) and RankL (c) in cortical bone of control mice kept in resting condition (Rest) and HU mice (Unload) at 4 weeks. Data revealed a significant reduction in Opg expression levels in unloaded mice at 4 weeks (a), whereas there was an increasing but not significant trend of RankL in unloaded mice at 4 weeks (c). Measurements of OPG and RankL serum levels after 4 weeks of HU by Elisa Assays showing a significant reduction in OPG serum levels in HU mice compared to controls (b), but any significant change of RankL (d). Photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections of trabecular bone (e) (magnification 20x) and cortical bone (f) (magnification 40x) of femurs from Rest and Unload mice showing reduced thickness of trabeculae and increased number of apoptotic osteocytes in Unload mice compared to controls. Shapiro-Wilk test and Mann-Whitney test were performed. Data are presented as box-and-whisker with median and interquartile ranges, from max to min, with all data points shown. *p < 0.050; **p < 0.01 vs Rest.
