Trabecular rods have higher levels of non-enzymatic glycation than plates

Non-enzymatic glycation (NEG) detrimentally affects cancellous bone´s mechanical integrity. In particular, it may help explain the fragility of osteoporotic bone, which is composed primarily of thinner and more rod-like trabeculae. Hence, the goal of our project was to investigate the relationship between the extent of NEG and trabecular morphology. Individual trabeculae were extracted from mechanically tested and stained human cancellous bone. They were imaged using microcomputed tomography, and both trabecular shape and microdamage morphology were characterized. The extent of NEG was measured in each trabeculae and tested for correlation with trabecular structure. Results indicated that more rod-like trabeculae formed crack-like microdamage (p<;0.05) and had a trend for higher NEG content (p=0.20) than plate-like trabeculae. These data suggest that the high glycation level in trabecular rods and the presence of harmful linear microcracks weaken the trabecular network present in osteoporotic bone.