Gene array analysis was a tool utilized to gain an understanding of the biology behind the effects of acute and chronic binge alcohol exposure on vertebral BMD and compressive strength. To facilitate the analysis of data sets obtained by gene array PANTHER software was employed, allowing the sorting of differentially expressed gene lists into functional groups based on associations with known biological pathways. Several cellular signaling pathways were identified by this analysis as modulated by acute and/or chronic binge alcohol treatment in bone. Because of the complexity of potential alcohol-related modulation of signaling and its effects on bone metabolism we focus here on 2 of the alcohol-modulated pathways identified, integrin and Wnt signaling. These pathways have well-established connections to bone remodeling, but have not previously been identified as modulated by alcohol. The potential regulation of these 2 pathways in bone by alcohol exposure may provide novel mechanistic explanations for the observed effects of alcohol on the bone remodeling cycle.
