Predicting altered bone biomechanics in juvenile mice: insights from microgravity simulation, loading interventions, and Raman Spectroscopy

Microgravity, a condition experienced in a spatial environment, poses unique challenges to the skeletal system, particularly in juvenile organisms. This study aimed to investigate alterations in bone biomechanics of juvenile mice due to unloading - that simulates microgravity in the laboratory-and the effects of a bone-loading intervention. We compared bone compositional and mechanical properties between 21-six-week-old C57Bl/6 from a control group (wild type) and a group that underwent a tail-suspension unloading protocol to mimic microgravity (MG). The second group (MG) experienced additional in vivo loading protocol (MG + LDG) on the right hind leg, where dynamic compressive loading was applied to the right knee using a custom-built loading device.