Fig. 4

Changes in bone structure and the subchondral trabecular bone in each group. a Representative μCT images. No apparent osteophyte formation or bone deformation around the knee joint was observed by μCT in any of the groups. Scale bar: 500 μm. Number of mice in each group is indicated in the figure. b Trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb. N.), trabecular thickness (Tb. Th.), and trabecular spacing (Tb. Spac.) of the metaphysis of the femur. Forced running tended to increase BV/TV and Tb.N. and OVX completely abolished these anabolic effects. c Bone morphometrical analyses of the metaphyseal region of tibia. Similar results were observed if compared to those in femur. d Bone morphometrical analyses of the epiphyseal region of tibia. Forced running increased BV/TV and OVX completely abolished this anabolic effect. e Subchondral bone plate thickness (Sb. Pl. Th.) of the tibia was shown. Forced running increased Sb. Pl. Th. and OVX completely abolished this anabolic effect. Values are means with SEM. Differences among each group were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks followed by Steel-Dwass’s post-hoc test. P values are indicated if the difference was statistically significant. Number of mice in each group, b: SHAM + Cage = 10, SHAM + Run = 9, OVX + Cage = 10, and OVX + Run = 10, c-e: SHAM + Cage = 8, SHAM + Run = 6, OVX + Cage = 6, and OVX + Run = 6