Increase in Bone Mass Before Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

Background/aim: The typical insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes mellitus has general effects on metabolism and also affects bone quality.

Materials and methods: Two diabetic rat lines (BB/OK; BB.6KWR) and two non-diabetic rat strains (KWR and BB.14+18KWR), as control group, were included in the study. Bone mineral density, bone mineral content and body structure measurements were performed. The measurements took place before the onset of diabetes mellitus Results: A comparison of the groups showed increased bone density values of the diabetic rats in relation to the control groups. A new finding of increased bone density in the diabetic rats occurs.

Conclusion: Diabetic rats showed no osteoporotic bone metabolism before the onset of clinically relevant type 1 diabetes mellitus, but rather increased bone metabolic activity.