A new bone/blood index in the study of labelled citrate metabolism in rat bones in fracture, deafferentation, rickets, and caries]

A new bone/blood index has been developed which is calculated by dividing % of radionuclide inclusion in the bones by % of the inclusion in the serum. Graphic image of the index changes with time is significantly more demonstrative than digital tables and allows one not only easily measure distribution of the labelled compound between fractions diluted in the blood and sorbed on the bone but also specify a major direction of their transport between blood and bone. The index confirms the presence of biphasic primary fast but weak physical adsorption and secondary slow and strong chemisorption. This was established by the study of time course of the labelled citrate in intact rats of different age as well as in fracture and bone innervation defect, in rickets and dental caries. The proposed index can be applied in investigation of various diseases.