The aim of this study was to assess the effects of artificial unloading induced by hindlimb suspension on the trabecular bone in tibiae. Twenty four 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 3 groups, namely, the control group (CON, n = 8), the hindlimb-suspended group (HLS, n = 8) and HLS with partial vibration group (HLSPV, n = 8). After 4 weeks, compared with CON group, HLS group had significantly greater decreases on BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Conn.Dn and increase on Tb.Sp (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in BMD and the other micro structural parameters of tibial trabecular bones between CON and HLSPV (p > 0.05). These results implied that partial vibration might inhibit the bone loss induced by hindlimb suspension. Furthermore, we could expect to apply partial vibration system in space environment, to prevent bone loss in astronauts.
