Perspectives on the systematic review for the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans for calcium

An accurate assessment of the recommended calcium (Ca) intake may contribute to reducing the risk of fractures and chronic diseases, ultimately improving quality of life.This review was performed to summarize key findings of Ca studies, investigate the effect of Ca intake on health outcomes, and determine the adequacy of evidence to revise the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for Ca in 2020. Databases were searched for intervention studies that assessed health outcomes by providing Ca in diets or as supplements. The framework of the systematic review comprised conducting literature searches, data extraction, quality assessment of the literature, and summarizing key findings relevant to set the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Ca for the 2020 KDRI. The final search was performed in June 2019. A total of 13,309 studies were identified through databases and manual search. Sixtyfive studies were included in the final quality assessment and were summarized according to health indicators. As bone health was used as an indicator of the EAR for Ca, literature reports on bone health were further categorized by the life-cycle stage of the participants. This systematic review did not find new evidence that could be applied to the general Korean adult population, including postmenopausal women, for defining a new EAR for Ca in the 2020 KDRIs. Evidence in most of the reviewed literature was considered weak; however, some evidence was found that could improve the criteria on how the EAR for Ca was determined in children and adolescents. A review of the literature for the 2020 KDRIs for Ca did not find strong evidence in order to change the recommended values of the 2015 KDRIs. More clinical interventions are required among Koreans to strengthen the body of evidence to warrant the revision of the KDRIs.

Biochemical Index, Nutrition Label Use, and Weight Control Behavior in Female Adolescents: Using the 2010 and 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Nutrient Intake according to Weight Gain during Pregnancy, Job Status, and Household Income

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of nutrient intake and pregnancy outcome mediated by weight gain during pregnancy, job status, and household income. Maternal age, educational level, self-reported pre-pregnancy weights, educational level, and household income were collected from the women at 2 months postpartum. For each offspring, weight at birth, length at birth, and gestational age were collected. Participants were asked to report the frequency of consumption of foods between 28–42 weeks into the pregnancy. Diet was assessed by using a validated 106-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) and women were asked portions and quantities based on pictures, food models, and measuring tools such as cups or teaspoons. Results showed that women who gained below the recommended weight gain during pregnancy, within, and over were 25.3%, 38.7%, 36.0%, respectively. In comparison to weight gain and the offspring's length and weight at birth, the offspring of mothers with a lower weight gain had a higher length. Energy, protein, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium were significantly lower at employed group. We did not observe a significant difference between birth characteristics and maternal nutrient intake by income. Infants with a higher ponderal index at birth were born to women with a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Effects of coffee powder supplementation on the blood glucose and antioxidative enzyme activity of liver tissue in STZ-induced diabetic rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of coffee in diabetic rats in order to prevent hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and to improve antioxidant enzyme activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 200 +/- 5 g) were divided into two groups; diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The groups were each randomly divided into two subgroups; fed control and coffee (5 g coffee powder/kg diet) diets. Diabetes was induced by intramuscular injection of 50 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight. Rats with blood glucose concentrations > or = 300 mg/dL were considered diabetic for these experiments. All rats were fed an experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that body weight gain was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. Mean food intake was significantly higher in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups, and significantly higher in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic rats. Food efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. The fasting blood glucose of coffee supplemented groups was significantly lower compared with the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The levels of serum LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats, and serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in the coffee group than in control groups. The contents of hepatic triglyceride were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents was significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in liver was not significantly different by experimental diets among all groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, effects of 0.5% coffee powder supplemented diet were beneficial on blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats.

Effects of combined intervention of isoflavone supplementation and exercise on bone metabolism in growing rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of combined intervention of isoflavones and exercise on bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and biochemical bone markers. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups; Control, Isoflavones (IF), Isoflavones + Running (IFR), and Isoflavones + Swimming (IFS). All of the rats in this study were fed an experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for nine weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were estimated using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin.) in spine and femur nine weeks after feeding or training. RESULTS: The combined intervention did not affect weight gain, mean food intake, or food efficiency ratio. The serum concentrations of ALP and osteocalcin were not significantly different by combined intervention. The urinary DPD crosslinks values were not significantly different by combined intervention. There were no significant differences in serum PTH, calcitonin, and estradiol among all groups. Spine BMD, spine BMC and femur BMC were not significantly different by combined intervention. However, femur BMD was significantly higher in the IFR group than in the control group. Compared with the control group, spine BMD, spine BMC, and femur BMD per weight were markedly increased in the isoflavones supplementation and combined intervention group. In addition, femur BMC per weight was significantly higher in the IFS group than in the control group. Compared with the isoflavones supplemented group, BMD and BMC were not significantly different by combined intervention. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that isoflavones supplementation or combined intervention of isoflavone and exercise had a beneficial effect on spine and femur peak bone mass in growing female rats.

Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementations: 2015 Position Statement of the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Calcium and vitamin D are essential components for bone health, thus calcium and vitamin D supplementation is an important strategy in the management of osteoporosis. However, the benefit of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone health is still controversial. Moreover, potentially harmful effects of excessive calcium supplementation on cardiovascular health are recently suggested. Too high a level of vitamin D has been also reported to have several, possibly related, harmful events. Korea is well known for low dietary calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency in its population. This position statement developed the following recommendation for adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D intake in Korean, postmenopausal women and men older than 50 years: Adequate calcium intake and optimal vitamin D level are essential for preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men older than 50 years. We recommend a daily calcium intake of 800 to 1,000 mg/day. Food remains the best source of calcium; however calcium supplements should be considered when dietary intake of calcium is inadequate. We recommend dietary vitamin D intake of more than 800 IU per day, a level which appears to reduce the risk of fractures. When vitamin D deficiency is suspected, serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-[OH]D) level should be tested. We suggest that a serum 25-(OH)D level greater than 20 ng/mL is generally appropriate for prevention of osteoporosis. However, a serum 25-(OH)D level greater than 30 ng/mL is probably helpful for management of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Abnormalities in Korea Children and Adolescents and Nutrient intakes: Using 2008 the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), metabolic abnormalities, and nutrient intakes in Korea children and adolescents using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008. METHODS: A sample of 838 children and adolescent males (n = 442) and females (n = 396) aged 10-18 was used from the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination survey. The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome subjects was adapted from modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III by Ford. To compare nutrient intakes, we used a judgment sampling. The first group was composed of all children and adolescents (n = 46) with MS. The second one along with the first group had children and adolescents with the same age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) but without MS (n = 46). The control group like the first two had children and adolescents with same sex and same age but with normal BMI and without MS (n = 46). RESULTS: In this randomized controlled controlled trial, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 5.8%. The risk factors was associated with the MS were abdominal obesity 9.4%, hypertriglyceridemia 25.0%, low HDL-cholesterol 10.3%, hypertension 23.4%, and hyperglycemia 7.1%. Among metabolic abnormalities, blood pressure was significantly affected by sex, age and obesity. On the other hand, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference were directly linked to obesity. There were no significant differences in nutrient intakes among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MS was higher in children (10-11 years old) than in adolescents (12-18 years old). There was a difference in hypertension among risk factors by gender, and there were no significant differences in nutrient intakes.

Nutrition, Food Habit, and Bone Mineral Density in Young College Females / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine associations between nutrient intake, food habit, and bone mineral density in college females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study evaluated 83 female college students from the city of Daegu. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' nutrient intake and food habits. All subjects gave written informed consent. All participants were given instructions, by a dietitian on how to complete the questionnaire on food intake (inclusive of beverages) and food habit record of weekdays. SONOST-2000 (Ultrasonic Bone mineral density Meter, Osteosis, Korea) was used to measure calcaneus bone density. Body composition was determined by using Inbody3.0 (Biospace, Korea) analysis.

Erratum: Title Correction. The Role of The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Ovariectomized Rats Compensation in Rats / 한국영양학회지

We found an title error in our published article.

Effect of Dietary Vitamin K2 Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density in Ovariectomized Rats

Vitamin K has been suggested to plays a role in bone metabolism. The objective of this study was to determine whether vitamin K2 supplementation is related to bone mineral density, bone formation markers, and bone resorption in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley female rats (body weight, 200 +/- 10 g) were divided into four groups: a sham group fed a control diet, a sham group fed a vitamin K2 supplemented diet, OVX fed a control diet, and OVX fed a vitamin K2 supplemented diet (3.5 mg vitamin K2/kg diet). All rats were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks, and deionized water was provided ad libitum. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), osteocalcin, and urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink values were measured as markers of bone formation and resorption. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content were measured in the spine and femur using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co., Madison, WI, USA). No significant differences in body weight gain, food intake, or food efficiency ratio were observed between the control and experimental groups. Serum ALP, osteocalcin, and urinary crosslink values were not significantly different between the vitamin K2 supplemented groups. No significant differences were observed for any of the variables in the sham group. Spine BMD values were significantly lower in the OVX than those in the sham groups. Spine and femur BMD per weight of vitamin K2 tended to be higher than the control diet group within the OVX group, but no significant differences were observed. In conclusion, dietary vitamin K2 supplementation may have a beneficial effect on spine and femur BMD in OVX rats. Further research is needed to understand the potential benefits of vitamin K2 on bone loss in OVX rats.

Effects of Dietary Habits and Nutrient Intakes on Skin Condition of Female University Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary habits and nutrient intakes on skin condition of female university students. The subjects were 95 female university students in Daegu. This study examined anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, food intake habits and skin condition (moisture, elasticity, sebum (U-zone, T-zone), pores, evenness and melanin pigmentation. The subjects in this study had an average age of 21.4, an average height and weight of 161.2 cm and 52.9 kg, respectively, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 20.3 kg/m2. The means of skin elasticity, pores, evenness, and melanin pigmentation were within the normal range of women in their 20s and the skin moisture state was slightly lower than the normal range, which showed a dry tendency. The sebum in the U-zone and the T-zone was lower than the standard values, which showed less secretion in both areas. The subjects with high nut intake showed a better skin pore state (p < 0.05). Those with a high intake of instant foods showed a sig-nificantly low skin moisture and a significantly higher sebum rate (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity and the group with less melanin pigmentation showed a significantly low animal protein intake (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity also showed a significantly higher vitamin A and niacin intakes as well (p < 0.05). The group with high skin evenness showed a significantly lower animal lipid intake and a significantly higher vitamin E intake (p < 0.05). In addition, those with high skin elasticity and evenness as well as low melanin pigmentation showed a tendency of high intake of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C or vitamin E. In summary, a moderate intake of plant-based products and also the antioxidant vitamins within such products seems to have a beneficial effect on maintaining a healthy and good skin condition.

The Morbidity and Mortality of the Patients with Hansen's Disease in a Leprosarium / 나학회지

ansen's disease, death certificates of the inpatients of Sorokdo National Hospital between 2001 and 2008 and died during the same time period were used to analyze the causes of their death, and the morbidity patterns of those patients who are hospitalized in the same hospital as of 2008 were analyzed. The results are as follows: The average number of diseases per inpatient was 3.4 with the maximum being 10. The distribution of morbidity was 67.2% for circulatory diseases, 58.4% for musculoskeletal diseases, and 36.3% for infectious diseases and skin diseases respectively. The morbidity rank of all patients was 50.1% for primary hypertension, 34.4% for chronic viral hepatitis, 27.4% for arthritis, 27.2% for skin diseases, and 23.7% for cataracts. The age-standardized death rate of males per 100,000 was 557.6 for heart diseases, 500.2 for liver diseases, 460.5 for respiratory diseases, and 459.8 for cancers. The age-standardized death rate of females was 266.3 for sepsis, 232.6 for liver diseases, 212.0 for cancers, 208.8 for pneumonia and 206.9 for respiratory diseases. The standardized death rate for all patients was 456.6 for heart diseases, 414.7 for liver diseases, 393.8 for respiratory diseases, and 383.0 for malignant neoplasms. In conclusion, the patterns of morbidity and mortality of patients with Hansen's disease was different than those of the general population. Additional public health approaches will be needed to improve the health status and quality of life of these patients, and additional studies on related factors will also be in order.

Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in OVX Rats

As far as we know, there were no studies of the effect of L-arginine on bone metabolism in post-menopausal women or ovariectomized rats. The primary objective of the current study was to determine whether arginine supplementation was associated with alterations in femoral and spinal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone markers in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, Ovx and sham groups, which were each randomly divided into two subgroups that were fed control and arginine supplemented diet. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. Bone resorption was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur. The serum and urine concentrations of Ca and P were determined. The plasma was analyzed for arginine. Diet did not affect weight gain, mean food intake, and plasma arginine concentration. Urinary Ca excretion was decreased by arginine supplementation in Ovx rats, but statistically not significant. The Ovx rats fed arginine-supplemented diet were not significantly different in ALP, osteocalcin, crosslinks value, PTH, calcitonin and IGF-1 compared to those fed control diet. The arginine-supplemented group had significantly higher serum Ca and growth hormone than control group. Spine and femur BMD were significantly increased by arginine supplementation on 5th and 9th weeks after feeding. Our findings indicate that dietary L-arginine supplementation decreased bone mineral density loss in Ovx rats. Therefore, dietary arginine supplementation may represent a potentially useful strategy for the management of osteoporosis.

Effects of taurine supplementation on bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats fed calcium deficient diet

Taurine supplementation has been shown to have a beneficial effect on femur bone mineral content in ovariectomized rats. It therefore seemed desirable to find out whether the beneficial effect of taurine on ovariectomized rats fed calcium deficient diet could also be reproduced. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. One group was OVX and the other group received sham operation (SHAM), and received either control diet or a taurine supplemented diet for 6 weeks. All rats were fed on calcium deficient diet (AIN-93: 50% level of calcium) and deionized water. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in spine and femur. The serum and urine concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. Bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion, osteocalcin in blood and cross link value were not significantly different among the groups. Within the OVX group, the taurine supplemented group had not higher femur bone mineral content than the control group. This study established the need for a study on the taurine effect on bone with different calcium levels.

Effects of dietary taurine supplementation on plasma and liver lipids in OVX rats fed calcium-deficient diet

Taurine supplementation has been shown to have an effect on lowering blood lipids in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. It therefore seemed desirable to find out whether the beneficial effect of taurine on OVX rats fed calcium-deficient diet could also be reproduced. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. One group was OVX and the other group received a sham operation (Sham). Each rat group was further divided into the control diet and the taurine supplemented (2.0 g/100 g diet) diet group. All rats were fed on calcium-deficient diet and deionized water ad libitum for 6 weeks. Plasma and liver lipids were determined by using commercial kits. LDL-cholesterol concentrations were estimated with the equation of Friedewald et al. (1972). There were no significant differences in body weight gain and food intake between the control and taurine group within Sham and OVX groups, but body weight gain, food intake, and food efficiency ratio was higher in the OVX group. Concentrations of plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in the taurine fed group of OVX rats fed Ca deficient diet, while HDL-cholesterol concentration was increased in the taurine fed group. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether taurine also prevented hypercholesterolemia induced by ovarian hormone deficiency in ovariectomized rats when they were fed a calcium-deficient diet. These results indicate that taurine may have some beneficial effects on hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in OVX rats fed calcium-deficient diet.

Effects of isoflavone supplementation on the bone mineral density of growing female rats

This study was focused on whether or not isoflavones affect the increase in bone mineral density of growing females. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (60 +/- 5 g) were randomly assigned to two groups and provided control diets (control group) or isoflavone-supplemented diet (IF group, 57.8 mg isoflavones/100 g diet) for 9 weeks in growing female rats. Measurements of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) on the experimental animals were executed in the 3rd, 6th, 9th weeks. In result, there was no significant difference in spine BMD between the isoflavones supplemented group and the control group. But, the IF group tended to have higher BMD than the control group in between 3 and 9 experimental weeks, and the striking difference could be shown in the 6th week of feeding. In case of femur BMD, the effects of added isoflavones appeared in the 6th week of feeding, and it became intensified in the 9th week of feeding to the extent that the BMD in the IF group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, isoflavone supplementation increased spine BMD per weight in the 6th week of feeding, and affected the increase of femur BMD in the 9th week. The result of the experiment implies that it affects positively the formation of spine and femur BMD of growing female rats. The study also suggests that the effects of isoflavone on the pattern of BMD formation might differ from the parts of bones.

The Effects of Isoflavones Intake Level on Bone Markers and Bone Related Hormones in Growing Female Rats

The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of level of isoflavones supplementation on bone metabolism in growing female rats. Forty-five rats divided into three groups; Control, 1/2IF, and 1IF. Serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks value were measured to monitor bone formation and resorption at the ninth week after feeding. Hormones related to bone metabolism were determined, included parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, estradiol, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The results of this study were as follows: the isoflavones intake level did not affect weight gain, mean food intake and food efficiency ratio. The serum concentration of osteocalcin and the activity of ALP were not significantly different by different levels of isoflavones supplementation. The urinary DPD crosslinks value was not significantly different by different levels of isoflavones supplementation. There were no significant differences in serum PTH, estradiol and IGFI among all groups. However, calcitonin was shown significantly higher in the groups of 1IF and 1/2IF than control group. And growth hormone was shown significantly higher in the groups of 1IF than control group.

Effects of Caffeine on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Ovariectomized Rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary caffeine supplementation on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in ovariectomized rats. Twenty eight female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 210 +/- 5 g) were divided into two groups, ovariectomy (OVX) and Sham groups, which were each randomly divided into two subgroups that were fed control and control supplemented with caffeine diets (caffeine 0.03% diets). All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 6 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin) in spine and femur. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and osteocalcin and urinary DPD crosslinks value were measured as markers of bone formation and resorption. The results of this study indicate that body weight gain and food intake were higher in OVX groups than in Sham groups regardless of diets. There were no differences weight gain between the control and caffeine groups in both OVX and Sham groups. Within the OVX groups, serum Ca concentration was lower in rats fed caffeine than in rats fed the control diet. Serum ALP, osteocalcin, urinary Ca, and phosphate were not different in each group. Spine BMD, spine BMD/weight, and spine BMC/weight, femur BMD/weight and femur BMC/weight of ovariectomy groups were significantly lower than Sham groups. Within the OVX group, there were no differences in spine BMD and BMC and femur BMD and BMC. These results indicate that no significant differences in spine and femur BMD were found due to 0.03% caffeine intakes in diet in OVX rats for 6 weeks. No negative effect of caffeine in 0.03% diet on bone mineral density were found in the present study. Further investigation of the relation between caffeine and bone mineral density are warranted.

The Role of The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Ovariectomized Rats Compensation in Rats

The effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in ovariectmized rats were investigated. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 180 g) were divided into two group, ovariectomy and Sham groups, which were each randomly divided into two subgroups that were fed casein and casein supplemented with vitamin D3 diets. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur on 6 weeks after feeding. Osteocalcin and urinary DPD crosslinks value were measured as markers of bone formation and resorption. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) were higher in OVX groups than in Sham groups regardless of diets. Serum Ca concentration and urinary Ca excretion were higher in vitamin D3 supplemented group than in casein group in Sham and OVX. Crosslinks values were higher in OVX groups than in Sham groups. Spine BMD and femur BMD of ovariectomy group were significantly lower than Sham groups, however vitamin D3 supplemented groups were significantly higher than control groups in Sham and OVX. In conclusion, dietary vitamin D3 supplementation on ovariectimized rats were significantly increased bone mineral density and bone mineral content in spine and femur.

Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Bone Markers and Hormones in Growing Female Rats

An important related question is whether arginine has influence bone metabolism. The effect of arginine supplements on bone markers and related hormones were studied in young female Sprague-Dawley rats fed either an arginine supplemented diet or control diet. Twenty four rats (body weight 83 +/- 5 g) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, consuming casein or casein with supplemented arginine diet. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. And bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, estrogen, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. The weight gain and mean food intake were not affected regardless of diets. The rats fed arginine-supplemented diet had not significantly different in ALP, osteocalcin, crosslinks value, PTH, estradiol, and IGF-1 compared to those fed casein diet group. The arginine-supplemented group had significantly higher growth hormone and calcitonin than casein group. This study suggests that arginine is beneficial for bone formation in growing female rats. Therefore exposure to diet which rich in arginine early in life may have benefits for bone formation and osteoporosis prevention.