Effect of water‐soluble silicon supplementation on bone status and balance of Ca, Mg, and Si in male adult mice (828.14)

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is important for the growth and development of bone and connective tissues. Several studies have reported that Si supplement improved bone mineral density in female OVX rats. However, few studies have investigated the effects of Si supplementation on bone status and bone metabolism in male animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Si supplementation on bone mineral density and balance of Ca, Mg, and Si in growing adult male mice. Si was administrated orally through demineralized water containing different contents of Si as a form of sodium meta‐silicate (0%; control, 0.025%; Si50, 0.050%; Si100, and 0.075%; Si150) to 9‐week‐old male mice for 4 weeks. Si supplementation did not alter weight gain or BMD of femur and tibia in male mice. However, a high level of Si (0.05% and 0.075%) supplementation significantly decreased Mg retention without changing Ca retention. Serum alkaline phosphatase of Si‐supplemented groups significantly decreased. According to these results, short‐term Si supplementation did not affect BMD but showed possible negative effects on Mg retention and bone metabolism in male adult mice.