Low Mineral Diet Research Articles

In vivo efficacy of calcium phosphate-based synthetic-bone-mineral on bone loss resulting from estrogen and mineral deficiencies.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis affect over 40 million US adults 50 years and older. Both diseases are strongly influenced by estrogen and nutritional-mineral deficiencies. This study investigates the efficacy of orally delivered synthetic-bone-mineral (SBM), a newly developed calcium phosphate based biomaterial, on reversing bone loss induced by these two critical deficiencies. Thirty 3-month-old female rats were randomly allocated to either control-sham surgery on normal diet; or one of the four experimental groups: Sham surgery on a low mineral diet (LMD), ovariectomized (OVX) on LMD, OVX on LMD with SBM with/without fluoride (F). The rats were sacrificed after 6 months, at 9-month-old. After 6 months, although all groups lost bone mineral density relative to controls, the supplemented OVX rats showed higher bone mineral density than their unsupplemented counterparts. The 2 SBM supplemented groups improved bone loading capacity by 28.1 and 35.4% compared to the OVX LMD group. Bones from supplemented rats exhibited higher inorganic/organic ratios. The addition of F did not have a significant influence on bone loss. Our findings suggest that SBM supplement is effective in maintaining bone health and offsetting the deleterious effects of estrogen and/or mineral deficiencies on bone density, microarchitecture, and strength.

Therapeutic effect of localized vibration on alveolar bone of osteoporotic rats.

ObjectivesVibration, in the form of high frequency acceleration (HFA), stimulates alveolar bone formation under physiologic conditions and during healing after dental extractions. It is not known if HFA has an anabolic effect on osteoporotic alveolar bone. Our objective is to determine if HFA has a regenerative effect on osteoporotic alveolar bone.Methods and materialsAdult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: 1) Ovariectomized Group (OVX), 2) Sham-OVX Group that received surgery without ovariectomy, 3) OVX-HFA Group that was ovariectomized and treated daily with HFA, 4) OVX+Static Force Group that was ovariectomized and received the same force as HFA, but without vibration, and 5) Control Group that did not receive any treatment. All animals were fed a low mineral diet for 3 months. Osteoporosis was confirmed by micro-CT of the fifth lumbar vertebra and femoral head. HFA was applied to the maxillary first molar for 5 minutes/day for 28 and 56 days. Maxillae were collected for micro-CT, histology, fluorescent microscopy, protein and RNA analysis, and three-point bending mechanical testing.ResultsMicro-CT analysis revealed significant alveolar bone osteoporosis in the OVX group. Vibration restored the quality and quantity of alveolar bone to levels similar to the Sham-OVX group. Animals exposed to HFA demonstrated higher osteoblast activity and lower osteoclast activity. Osteogenic transcription factors (RUNX2, Foxo1, Osterix and Wnt signaling factors) were upregulated following vibration, while RANKL/RANK and Sclerostin were downregulated. HFA did not affect serum TRAcP-5b or CTx-1 levels. The osteogenic effect was highest at the point of HFA application and extended along the hemimaxillae this effect did not cross to the contra-lateral side.ConclusionsLocal application of vibration generated gradients of increased anabolic metabolism and decreased catabolic metabolism in alveolar bone of osteoporotic rats. Our findings suggest that HFA could be a predictable treatment for diminished alveolar bone levels in osteoporosis patients.

Ingestion of a natural mineral-rich water in an animal model of metabolic syndrome: effects in insulin signalling and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

High-fructose and/or low-mineral diets are relevant in metabolic syndrome (MS) development. Insulin resistance (IR) represents a central mechanism in MS development. Glucocorticoid signalling dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stresses strongly contribute to IR and associate with MS. We have described that natural mineral-rich water ingestion delays fructose-induced MS development, modulates fructose effects on the redox state and glucocorticoid signalling and increases sirtuin 1 expression. Here, we investigated mineral-rich water ingestion effects on insulin signalling and ER homeostasis of fructose-fed rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats had free access to standard-chow diet and different drinking solutions (8 weeks): tap water (CONT), 10%-fructose/tap water (FRUCT) or 10%-fructose/mineral-rich water (FRUCTMIN). Hepatic and adipose (visceral, VAT) insulin signalling and hepatic ER homeostasis (Western blot or PCR) as well as hepatic lipid accumulation were evaluated. Hepatic p-IRS1Ser307/IRS1 (tendency), p-IRS1Ser307, total JNK and (activated IRE1α)/(activated JNK) decreased with fructose ingestion, while p-JNK tended to increase; mineral-rich water ingestion, totally or partially, reverted all these effects. Total PERK, p-eIF2α (tendency) and total IRS1 (tendency) decreased in both fructose-fed groups. p-ERK/ERK and total IRE1α increasing tendencies in FRUCT became significant in FRUCTMIN (similar pattern for lipid area). Additionally, unspliced-XBP1 increased with mineral-rich water. In VAT, total ERK fructose-induced increase was partially prevented in FRUCTMIN. Mineral-rich water modulation of fructose-induced effects on insulin signalling and ER homeostasis matches the better metabolic profile previously reported. Increased p-ERK/ERK, adding to decreased IRE1α activation, and increased unspliced-XBP1 and lipid area may protect against oxidative stress and IR development in FRUCTMIN.

Improvement of Large Animal Model for Studying Osteoporosis

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of steroidal medications on the structure and mechanical properties of supporting tissues of sheep under experimentally-induced osteoporosis. A total of 21 sheep were used, divided into three groups: a negative control (KN) (n = 3), a positive control (KP) (n = 3) with ovariectomy, and a steroidal group (KS) (n = 15) with ovariectomy and glucocorticosteroids. All animals were kept on a low protein and mineral diet and had limited physical activity and access to sunlight. Quantitative computed tomography was the examination method. The declines in the examined parameter values in the KS group were more than three times higher than in the KN group. The study suggests that a glucocorticosteroidal therapy accelerates and intensifies processes taking place in the course of osteoporosis. The combination of glucocorticosteroids with ovariectomy, a restrictive diet, limited physical activity, and no access to sunlight leads to a decrease in radiological bone density.

Assessment of chemical variability of major bottled waters in Sri Lanka

Bottled water is one of the major drinking water sources for travellers in tourist hubs in Sri Lanka. In this study, 32 major bottled water brands sold in the country were analyzed with 19 parameters by means of atomic absorption spectrometer, spectrophotometer and titration. The main objective of the present study is to investigate geochemical variations of Sri Lankan bottled waters in order to identify the main geochemical processes. A comparison of the element concentrations and the legal limits (Sri Lanka, US EPA and WHO) shows that only magnesium level in one brand is above the lower level set by Sri Lankan Standard. According to classifications based on European Union mineral water directive, all the brands indicate low mineral content (TDS 0–150 mg/L) and they are suitable for low sodium diets. Hardness of the water fluctuates within soft water (25 brands), moderately hard water (6 brands) and very hard water (1 brand). Accepted water quality classification systems were used to characterize the different bottled water types. Piper and stiff diagrams were used to establish that the dominant chemical types of the bottled waters are magnesium–calcium–bicarbonate (11 brands), magnesium–calcium–sodium–bicarbonate (9 brands), sodium–magnesium–chloride–sulphate (4 brands) and sodium–chloride–sulphate–bicarbonate (3 brands). According to dietary reference intakes, all the bottled water brands are significantly lower than the recommended human mineral requirements. This means that the bottled waters available in the country are useful for low mineral diets rather than sources for the necessary mineral intake.

Comparison between the Lateral and Medial Femur in Low-Mineral-Diet-Fed Ovariectomized Rats Using Raman Spectral Analysis

Differences in structural and crystallinity between the lateral and medial regions of the central femoral diaphysis in low-mineral-diet-fed ovariectomized rats were investigated using polarization microscopy and Raman spectral analysis. Eighteen 19-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (Group 1: sham ovariectomy + normal diet group, Group 2: ovariectomy + normal diet group, Group 3: ovariectomy + low-mineral-diet group). Measurements were performed in the lateral and medial regions of the femoral sagittal cross-section at 24 weeks of feeding. On polarization microscopy, tubular structures of haversian and Volkmanns canals and osteocytes were observed in the femur in Groups 1 and 2. In Group 3, the number of these tubular structures in the femur was decreased compared to those in Groups 1 and 2. Moreover, the bone width of the femur decreased in Group 3 compared to those in Groups 1 and 2. On Raman spectral analysis, the peaks of organic and inorganic components were observed in the lateral and medial regions of the femur in all groups. In magnified views of the peak of ν1PO43-spectrum, the peaks in the lateral and medial regions overlapped in Group 1, but the peak of the medial region was about 0.3 and 0.8 cm-1 shifted toward the low wavenumber side compared to those of the lateral region in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. Based on these findings, the influences of reduced estrogen secretion and the low-mineral diet were clarified as differences in the femoral structural and crystallinity on polarization microscopy and Raman spectral analysis. Since highly sensitive detailed point analysis can be performed within a short time using Raman spectral analysis, it may be useful for high-dimensional structural analysis.

Impact of normal or low organic mineral (Cu, Zn, Mn) diets on gene expression patterns in the intestine of broiler chicks

We assessed the impact of early life mineral (Zn, Cu, Mn) nutrition on gene expression in the jejunum. Broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Corn‐soy diets had organic Zn, Cu, and Mn (BioPlex®, Alltech Inc.) at 100% (normal, N) or 20% (low, L) of NRC requirements. Diets were fed for 5 d, followed by a second diet (d 6–21), creating 3 groups: N‐N, N‐L, or L‐L. On d 21, birds were euthanized and gene expression was analyzed using the Affymetrix Chicken Genome Array. Compared to N‐N, the number of genes significantly changed was 303 for N‐L and 530 for L‐L, with 154 commonly affected. Both N‐L and L‐L led to down‐regulation of genes metallothionein 3 and 4 compared to N‐N. Gene ontology (GO) classifications showed that L‐L had a greater impact than N‐L on genes associated with metal ion transport, Zn ion binding and carbohydrate metabolic processes. IPA analysis showed the top biologic functions affected by N‐L were cell signaling, cellular function and maintenance, and cell morphology; for L‐L they were protein synthesis, cell death and post‐translational modification. Although both groups were fed the same diet d 6 – 21, IL‐17A pathways were enriched with L‐L only. Thus, mineral levels up to 5 d of life altered gene expression in birds on d 21, suggesting that early nutrition has a significant, long term impact on gene response in the intestine of young chickens.

低ミネラル食を摂取させた卵巣摘出ラットの大腿骨骨幹端部における骨変化

目的：本研究は卵巣摘出後のラットに低ミネラル食を摂取させることによる大腿骨骨幹端部の骨変化を明らかにすることを目的として，マイクロCTとTRI/3D-Bon BMDを用いた三次元マップ構築，骨塩量および骨体積測定を行った．方法：実験には48匹のラットを用いた．ランダムに抽出した16匹をコントロール群（グループ1）とし，20週齢時に疑似手術を行った後，普通食を与えた．残りの32匹には20週齢時に両側の卵巣摘出手術を施し，16匹ずつの2群（グループ2と3）に分けた．グループ2は術後に普通食を，グループ3は低ミネラル食を与えた．骨の観察時期は術後4，8，16および24週とした．結果：カラースケールによる海綿骨の三次元マップ構築では，皮質骨に近接する一部の領域で高い骨密度を示す橙色が，骨髄に面する内表面ではそれぞれ中間的な骨密度，低い骨密度を示す緑色と水色が示された．皮質骨および海綿骨ともに，その骨塩量は24週においてグループ1 に比較してグループ2と3で有意に減少した．骨体積は24週においてグループ1と比較してグループ2と3で有意に減少した．結論：卵巣摘出によって起こるエストロゲンの分泌低下が，低ミネラル食摂取による海綿骨量の減少に影響を及ぼしている可能性があり，三次元マップ構築は骨密度を三次元の疑似カラーで表示することが可能で，骨粗鬆症や骨疾患の診断に有用であることが示された．

Bone Quality of the Femoral Mid-Shaft of Ovariectomized Rats Fed a Low-Mineral Diet

Ovariectomized (OVX) rats are accepted models for screening potential therapeutic agents for osteoporosis. A low-mineral diet accelerates bone loss in OVX rats. This study aimed to determine changes in bone quality caused by ovariectomy or by combined ovariectomy and a mineral-deficient diet. Forty-eight female Wistar rats, aged 19 weeks, were distributed into 3 groups (n = 16 per group): Group 1: (control) subjected to a sham operation and administered a normal diet, Group 2: OVX rats fed a normal diet, and Group 3: OVX rats fed a low-mineral diet. The rats were sacrificed after 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks. The density distribution and volume of the femur mid-shaft were evaluated to assess bone quality using micro-computed tomography and polarized microscopy. Bone strength was evaluated using a 3-point bending test. Bone density distribution, bone volume, and strength were the lowest for Group 3 and the highest for Group 1 at all times. Using a polarized microscope, we found that the tubular structures of the Haversian and Volkmann's canals were decreased in Group 3 compared with those of Groups 1 and 2. Positive correlations were noted between fracture load and bone density, fracture load and bone volume, and bone volume and bone density in Group 3, and between bone density and volume, and bone volume and fracture load in Groups 2 and 3. We conclude that estrogen deficiency (ovariectomy) and mineral deficiency had separate as well as combined effects on bone quality.

Effects of Reduced Calcium and Phosphorous Diets Supplemented with Phytase on Laying Performance of Hens

The aim of this experiment was to examine the potential for reduced environmental impact by reducing dietary calcium and phosphorus content and phytase addition of laying hen diets. A randomized complete block design with a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement of 8 dietary treatments: 2 levels ofphytase (0 and 300 FTU kg(-1)) and 2 mineral levels (Ca: 34/18 and NPP: 3.2/2.2 g kg(-1), respectively). A total of 240 White Leghorn (WL) layers, 25 weeks of age were used. Considering birds in 12 cages as a replicate, 5 such replicates were randomly allotted to each dietary treatment. Individual body weight of the bird was recorded at the beginning and end of the experiment. Egg production on an individual basis was recorded daily and percentage hen day egg production was calculated. The cleaned eggshells were dried for 24 h, weighed and expressed as percentage of whole egg. One bird from each experimental unit were selected at random and killed by cervical dislocation at the end of the experiment and the left tibia was removed. Dried bone samples were ashed at 680 degrees C for 12 h for estimation of bone ash. The results of this experiment showed that reducing Ca and NPP (Non-Phytate Phosphorus) without phytase decreased BWG (Body Weight Gain), feed intake, FCE (Feed Conversion Efficiency), egg production, egg shell weight and tibia ash. However, phytase addition to low mineral diets completely corrected the adverse effects associated with low dietary Ca and NPP. It can therefore be concluded that reducing levels of Ca and NPP below current standards and phytase supplementation can reduce pollution potential from laying hen production without adversely affecting bird performance or welfare.

The effects of nutrients in improving the depression of gonadal development in growing male rats kept under disturbed daily rhythm--investigations based on the L8(2(7)) type orthogonal array--.

The purpose of this experiment was to clarify the effects of nutrients on the gonadal development of male rats kept under constant darkness as a model of disturbed daily rhythm. Protein, methionine, vitamins, minerals and fat were selected as experimental factors, and eight kinds of diets were prepared based on the L8(2(7)) type orthogonal array. Dietary contents of the nutrients were normal (AIN-76 diet) or 1/3 to 1/2 of the normal content. Four-week-old rats (Fischer 344 strain) were kept under constant darkness for 4 wk. Control groups were kept under 12-h light/dark cycle. After 4 wk, the gonadal weights and serum testosterone content were evaluated. The effects of nutrients on gonadal development in rats differed between constant darkness groups (D-groups) and normal lighting groups (N-groups). Among the D-groups, the highest value for testes weight was observed under the normal protein, methionine added, low vitamin, low mineral and normal fat diet. The lowest value for testes weight was observed under the low protein, methionine added, normal vitamin, normal mineral and low fat diet. Among the N-groups, the highest value for testes weight was observed under the normal protein and no methionine diet, and the lowest value was observed under the low protein and no methionine diet. Among the D-groups, the highest value for serum testosterone was observed under the normal protein and low mineral diet. In the N-groups, serum testosterone was not affected by nutritional factors. It became clear that the amounts of protein, methionine, vitamins, minerals, and oil which are necessary for the gonadal development of growing male rats change when kept in constant darkness.

Effects of variations in dietary calcium and phosphorus supply on plasma and bone osteocalcin concentrations and bone mineralization in growing pigs.

Growing pigs were fed diets supplying 45% (low), 70% (intermediate) and 100% (high) recommended dietary allowances of calcium (the Ca:P ratio was kept constant), but otherwise adequate in nutrients. The effects of varying calcium and phosphorus intakes on bone and plasma osteocalcin were monitored. Mineral content of the diet did not affect feed conversion and live weight gain. Plasma phosphorus concentrations decreased significantly in pigs fed a low mineral diet compared with those fed the high mineral diet, but there were no changes in plasma calcium and osteocalcin concentrations. Bones from the low mineral group had marked reductions in dry matter, calcium and phosphorus contents, as well as increased collagen, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline concentrations: osteocalcin concentrations in bone were unaffected by treatment. The results showed no direct link between osteocalcin and the degree of bone mineralization.

低ミネラル特別療法食の猫尿中ストラバイト結晶溶解および予防効果

低ミネラル特別療法食の猫尿中ストラバイト結晶溶解および予防効果

Effect of the manganese content in laying hen feed with different Ca and mineral levels on the egg shell quality and bone mineralization of hens

Four experiments with 270, 44, 432 and 66800 Leghorn hens were carried out to investigate the influence of various Mn additions to diets differed in mineral or Ca contents on egg shell quality. The addition of 300 mg Mn/kg diet improved significantly egg shell breaking strength by 4 N over one year. The supply of 50-500 mg Mn/kg diet for 10-24 weeks of the second half of laying year did not influence the egg shell quality. Addition of mineral mixture or Ca grit to layer rations with adequate or higher Mn levels did not influence egg shell strength. High mineral content in a low manganese diet increased number of cracks by 3%. Strength, weight and ash content of tibia were significantly reduced by feeding a low mineral level. Addition of 50-150 mg Mn per kg low mineral diet normalized partially tibia stability in young hens. It was concluded that supplied dietary Manganese influences calcification positively only in young hens. High levels of Ca did not influence the effects of Mn. 50 mg Mn per kg layers mixture have been considered as an essential supply.

Nutrient deficiencies and the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar: Effects on larval performance and detoxication enzyme activities

We investigated the consequences of specific nutrient deficiencies for growth performance, food processing efficiencies and detoxication enzyme activities in larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Larvae were reared on one of four artificial diets, including a low wheat-germ control diet, and protein-, mineral- and vitamin-deficient diets. Growth of fourth instars was reduced on each nutrient-deficient diet; reductions were attributable to decreased efficiencies of conversion of digested food. Larvae on the low protein diet exhibited compensatory feeding responses, but not great enough to offset the reduction in protein intake. The low protein and low mineral diets prolonged development time of females, and reduced pupal weights of males and females. All larvae fed the low vitamin diet succumbed to a nuclear polyhedrosis virus late in the fifth larval stadium. We observed few significant effects and no clear-cut patterns of response of detoxication enzymes to nutrient limitation. Polysubstrate monooxygenase and glutathione transferase activities were unaffected. Soluble esterase and carbonyl reductase activities tended to increase in response to protein deficiency, but decrease in response to vitamin deficiency. Phytophagous insects evolutionarily adapted to feeding on nutrient-poor but allelochemical-rich host plants may have evolved biochemical/physiological mechanisms that serve to maintain effective enzyme function in the context of nutrient deficiency.

Effects of the Interrelationship between Dietary Protein and Minerals on Tissue Content of Trace Metals in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats

Zinc, iron and copper concentrations were measured in several organs from streptozotocin-diabetic and normal male, Long-Evans rats that were maintained for 21 days on a dietary regimen designed to study the combined or singular effects of insulin-dependent diabetes, dietary protein and dietary minerals on the tissue content of trace metals. The diets contained either 20 ppm zinc and iron, 5 ppm copper and 20% protein (HMHP); 8 ppm zinc and iron, 2 ppm copper and 8.3% protein (LMLP); 20 ppm zinc and iron, 5 ppm copper and 8.3% protein (HMLP) or 8 ppm zinc and iron, 2 ppm copper and 20% protein (LMHP). The concentrations of zinc, iron and copper in liver, zinc and iron in kidney and iron in femur were elevated in the diabetic rats and were not influenced by dietary protein and mineral interaction. However, dietary protein, mineral or protein × mineral interaction significantly affected trace metal concentrations of several organs in diabetic rats but had no significant effect in normal rats. Specifically, copper concentration in kidney and duodenum of diabetic rats were influenced by protein × mineral interaction, duodenal zinc concentrations were higher in diabetic rats fed high mineral diets (HMPH and HMLP) compared to diabetic rats fed low mineral diets (LMPH and LMLP) and femur zinc concentration was higher in diabetic rats fed high protein diets (HMHP and LMLP) compared to diabetic rats fed low protein diets (HMLP and LMLP). While hepatic picolinic carboxylase was elevated severalfold in diabetic rats, it was highest in the diabetic rats fed high protein diets (HPHM and HPLM) suggesting that picolinic acid may, at least in part, mediate the effects of dietary protein and minerals on tissue trace metal concentrations in diabetic rats.

Bone ash, duodenal 45Ca absorption and calcium-binding protein in chicks fed lathyrogens

1. 1. β-Aminopropiononitrile fumarate (BAPN) and semicarbazide hydrochloride (SCH) were included, respectively, either in normal or lowcalcium diets. The diets were fed for 9 days to 3-week-old chicks. 2. 2. Percentage bone ash was depressed by the low-calcium diet and BAPN but not by SCH. 3. 3. Calcium-binding protein increased by the low-calcium diet, was not altered by BAPN and remarkably reduced by SCH. 4. 4. 45Ca transfer from ligated duodenal loops in situ was stimulated by a low mineral diet, slightly reduced by BAPN and remarkably reduced by SCH. 5. 5. Duodenal 32P absorption was unaffected significantly by any of the dietary treatments.

The effect of parathion on the liver and kidney carboxylesterases and the plasma acetylcholinesterases of rats fed nutritionally deficient diets.

Female rats were fed diets low in minerals, vitamins, or protein, or a control diet, both alone and supplemented with 10 parts per million (p.p.m.) parathion for 3 weeks. Male and female rats were fed control and tow-vitamin diets both with and without parathion supplementation (0–10 p.p.m.) for 3 weeks. The liver and kidney carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.1.), and the plasma acetylcholinesterases (EC 3.1.1.7.) of the male rats, were measured.In the female rats, a low-mineral diet resulted in an increase of carboxylesterases in the liver and kidney; a low-vitamin diet caused a marked increase in liver carboxylesterases but had no effect on the carboxylesterases of the kidney. Parathion at 10 p.p.m. in all diets greatly reduced the liver carboxylesterases but had less effect on kidney carboxylesterases, except in the case of the low-protein diet, for which the reduction was similar to that in the liver. Varying amounts of parathion added to the low-vitamin diet reduced the liver and kidney carboxylesterases, but to a less extent than when added to the control diet.The liver carboxylesterases of male rats were inhibited approximately 50% by 2 p.p.m. parathion in the control diet and by 4 p.p.m. parathion in the low-vitamin diet. However, inhibition of plasma acetylcholinesterase and kidney carboxylesterases was not marked until the 10 p.p.m. parathion level was fed. The acetylcholinesterase activity of the plasma of male rats did not decrease until the level of liver carboxylesterases was very low.

The effect of dietary penicillin on calcium and nitrogen retention in chicks on a low mineral diet

AbstractBy the use of a balance technique for growing chicks fed a low mineral diet it is shown that a significant increase in calcium retention in the body is brought about by the addition of penicillin to the diet. The significance of this finding is discussed in relation to growth experiments with antibiotics and their mode of action in growth stimulation.