Dietary fructose and glucose alter measures of trabecular bone formation and architecture in growing male rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of dietary glucose and fructose on bone formation, microarchitecture, and strength. Twenty‐four male Sprague‐Dawley rats (60 days old) were randomly assigned to consume a high fructose (n=9; 40% fructose, 10% glucose), high glucose (n=9; 50% glucose), or chow diet (n=6; 44% cornstarch) for 12 weeks. Bone measurements included histology and histomorphometry of trabecular bone in the distal femur and a three‐point bending test of the whole tibia. Epididymal and perirenal fat pads were weighed as a measure of abdominal adiposity. There were no differences in energy intake or body weight between groups. Mineral apposition rates (p=0.005), osteoblast surface (p=0.002), and osteoblast number (p=0.005) were higher in glucose and fructose‐fed rats compared to chow‐fed rats. Despite similar effects on bone formation, trabecular thickness was higher in the fructose group compared to the glucose group (p=0.0016). Differences in cortical bone strength among groups were not observed. Heavier epididymal fat pads (glucose vs. chow; p=0.003) and livers (fructose vs. glucose; p=0.000), combined with variations in bone outcomes with different sugar intakes, suggest a link between energy metabolism and bone that should be explored further as a potential explanation for these findings. This work was supported by Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations grant GEO00663 Hatch 0217572.