Search resultsEffect of silicon supplement on osteopenia induced by ovariectomy in rats
Title
Effect of silicon supplement on osteopenia induced by ovariectomy in rats
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2000
Authors
Journal
Calcified Tissue International
Volume
66
Issue
1
Pagination
53 - 55
Date published
2000
ISBN
0171967X (ISSN)
Keywords
Absorptiometry, Photon, Animal, Animals, article, body weight, bone density, bone development, Bone loss, Bone mineral content, bone mineral density, diet supplementation, Dietary Supplements, drug effect, Female, femur, lumbar vertebra, Lumbar Vertebrae, osteoporosis, Ovariectomy, photon absorptiometry, radiography, rat, Rats, Rats, Wistar, silicon, Wistar rat
Abstract
The effect of silicon (Si) supplement on preventing bone mass loss induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in rats was investigated. Three groups of 15, 100-day-old female Wistar rats each, with a mean initial weight of -260 g per animal, were selected for the present study. One of the experimental group consisting of 15 OVX rats was fed a diet supplemented with 500 mg of Si per kg of feed (Si + OVX). The other two groups consisting of 15 OVX and 15 sham-OVX rats did not receive these supplements. Morphometric (weight and length) and densitometric studies with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed on the whole femur and 5th lumbar vertebra of each animal 30 days after the experiment. The Si + OVX rats did not show a loss of bone mass induced by OVX at axial level (5th lumbar vertebra) or periphery (femur). Nonetheless, a significant increase (ANOVA with Bonferroni/Dunn post hoes test) of longitudinal development of the femur (P < 0.0001) was patent. These results, obtained through the measurements of axial and peripheral bones, warrant closer scrutiny in connection with the Si inhibitory effect on bone mass loss as well as the stimulatory effect on bone formation. Both actions, namely, inhibition of résorption and stimulation of formation, infer that Si may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of involutive osteoporosis.