Effect of different healing stages on stable isotope ratios in skeletal lesions

Bibliographic Data

ID8317647
AuthorsAna Curto (0000-0003-3568-9322, Human Osteology Lab, Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK, corresponding author), P Mahoney (0000-0002-2715-3096, University of Kent), Anne‐france Maurer (0000-0002-4997-5357, HERCULES Laboratory Évora University Évora Portugal), Cristina Barrocas Dias (0000-0002-1707-2209, University of Évora), Cristina Barrocas‐Dias (HERCULES Laboratory Évora University Évora Portugal), Teresa Fernandes (0000-0001-5261-4766, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal), Geraldine E Fahy (0000-0002-1281-1260, Human Osteology Lab, Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK)
Year2020
Volume171
Issue2
Pages285-297
Publication date2020-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.23958
PMID31702830
OpenAlexW2989047151
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited74

Introduction Physiological stress is one of the various factors that can have an impact on stable isotope ratios. However, its effect on bone collagen stable isotope ratios is still not fully understood. This study aims to build on previous research on how different disease stages may affect bone collagen stable isotope ratios. Materials and Methods Carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope ratios were assessed in 33 skeletons that retained evidence of infectious disease and healed fractures. Samples were taken from active lesions (long bones n = 14; ribs n = 4), healed lesions (long bones n = 10; ribs n = 9), or a fracture callus (long bones n = 9; ribs n = 3). Results were compared to stable isotope ratios calculated for regions on these bones that did not retain evidence of disease or fracture. Results Long bones with active lesions had a significantly higher average δ 15 N (δ 15 N = 11.1 ± 0.9‰) compared to those without lesions (δ 15 N = 10.7 ± 0.7‰; p = .02), while fracture calluses showed the largest range for both δ 15 N and δ 13 C. There were no significant differences in stable isotope ratios when compared between nonlesion and lesion sites in the ribs. Discussion The increase in δ 15 N seen in active lesions, when compared with δ 15 N from nonlesion regions on the same long bone, may be a consequence of altered protein metabolism. The high variability of δ 15 N and δ 13 C in fractures may be related to different healing stages of the calluses. This study suggests that stable isotope data can contribute information about diseases in the past, as well as an individual's response to diseases in the absence of modern medicine and antibiotics

Bone healing · Human bone · In vitro · Isotope · Isotopes of carbon · Isotopes of nitrogen · Lesion · Nitrogen · Pathology · Rib cage · Stable isotope ratio · Anatomy · Biochemistry · Bone health and osteoporosis research · Chemistry · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Medicine

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