Effect of vanadium on bone metabolism in weanling rats: zinc prevents the toxic effect of vanadium.

Abstract

The effect of vanadium on bone metabolism was investigated in the femoral diaphysis of weanling rats. Vanadium pentoxide (1.0-20.0 mumol V/100 g b.wt.) was administered orally for 3 days. The doses of 15.0 and 20.0 mumol V/100 g caused a significant increase in serum calcium concentration. Bone alkaline phosphatase activity was increased significantly by the doses of 1.0-20.0 mumol V/100 g, while bone acid phosphatase activity was not altered significantly. Bone DNA content was increased significantly by the dose of 1.0-10.0 mumol V/100 g. Bone calcium content was not altered significantly by administration of vanadium. The increase in serum calcium concentration caused by administration of vanadium (20.0 mumol/100 g) was prevented completely by simultaneous injection of zinc sulfate (15.3 mumol Zn/100 g) for 3 days, although zinc alone did not have any effect. Administration of zinc (15.3 mumol/100 g) produced an appreciable increase in bone alkaline phosphatase activity, DNA content, and calcium content. These increases were not enhanced significantly by simultaneous injection of vanadium (2.0 and 20.0 mumol V/100 g). The present study indicates that a comparatively low dose of vanadium may play a nutritional role in bone formation of weanling rats, and that zinc can prevent the relevation of the toxic effect of vanadium with higher doses.