Mechanical properties of the mouse femur after treatment with diclofenac and running exercises

Purpose: The flexible properties of the bone are essential for the movement and protection of vital organs. The ability of a bone to resist fractures under the influence of large muscles and physical activity depends on its established mechanical properties. This article discusses how exercise such as treadmill running and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac, affect the musculoskeletal system by modifying the elastic and thermal properties of the left femur of a mouse. Methods: The research was conducted using 9-week-old C57BL/6J female mice. In order to investigate the elastic and thermal properties of bones, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed. Results: The study of elastic properties, followed by in-depth statistical analysis, shows that taking diclofenac slightly reduces the elastic parameters of the bones under study. These changes are more pronounced in DSC studies, the shift of the observed endothermic peaks is on the order of several degrees with a simultaneous increase in the enthalpy of this process. Conclusions: The opposite effect of the applied factors – diclofenac and running – on the elastic properties of the bones of the examined mice was found. The external factors – running and diclofenac – modify the basic parameters of the endothermic process associated with the release of water.