OBJECTIVETo study the interaction of fluorine (F), calcium (Ca) and iodine (I) on body weight of rats.

METHODSOne-month-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: moderate concentrations of F, Ca, I (group 1); moderate concentrations of F, I and high concentration of Ca (group 2); moderate concentrations of Ca, I and high concentration of F (group 3); moderate concentration of I and high concentrations of F, Ca (group 4); moderate concentrations of F, Ca and low concentration of I (group 5); moderate concentration of F,high concentration of Ca and low concentration of I (group 6); moderate concentration of Ca, high concentration of F and low concentration of I (group 7); high concentrations of F, Ca and low concentration of I (group 8) based on 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. The moderate concentration of F was 90 microg/d and the high concentration of F was 2700 microg/d. The moderate Ca concentration was 13 mg/d and the high Ca concentration was 260 mg/d. The moderate concentration of I was 3.5 microg/d and the low concentration of I was 0.23 microg/d. After twenty weeks, body weight was measured.

RESULTSAccording to the results of factorial ANOVA, significant interaction effects of F with Ca were found (F = 5.933, P = 0.017). The empty body weight was measured at the end of the fifth month. When both iodine and fluorine were at the optimal level, the weight of group 2 [(262.5 +/- 47.1) g] and group 1 [(307.9 +/- 55.0) g] showed significant difference (t = 4.24, P < 0.05). When both iodine and fluorine were at low level, the weight of group 6 [(248.8 +/- 30.0) g] and group 5 [(293.3 +/- 19.7) g] showed significant difference (t = 4.16, P < 0.05). Animals with optimal iodine and calcium [(269.3 +/- 27.3) g] showed significant difference compared to the weight of low level iodine and optimal fluorine [(307.9 +/- 55.0) g]. When the low level iodine and optimal calcium were applied, weight of group 7 [(261.9 +/- 31.3) g] and group 5 [(293.3 +/- 19.7) g] showed significant difference. (t = 2.94, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInteraction effects of F with Ca were found on body weight in rats.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Drug Interactions ; Female ; Fluorides ; Fluorine ; pharmacology ; Iodine ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in fortified milk on physical development in Chinese school girls aged 10 - 12 years.

METHODSA non-randomized, double-blind intervention trial was carried out at nine primary schools of Beijing for two years. Seven hundred and fifty-seven girls (with an average age of 10.1 years) were recruited from nine primary schools in Beijing, China. They were divided into three trial groups, a control group (n = 259) having regular diet without milk supplementation, Group 1 (n = 238) having regular diet supplemented with 144 ml/d of calcium-fortified milk, and Group 2 (n = 260) having regular diet supplemented with 144 ml/d of calcium and vitamin D-fortified milk. Data of dietary intake and physical activities were collected by questionnaire, and height, weight, sitting height and knee height were measured before, during and after intervention.

RESULTSTwo years after intervention, the percentage increases in height and weight were significantly greater in Groups 1 and 2 than those in control group (9.52%, 9.26% and 8.59% in height, and 34.53%, 35.38% and 30.91% in weight, respectively). The percentage increase of sitting height was greater in Group 1 than those in Group 2, and then than that in control group (9.21%, 8.58% and 7.87%, respectively). The percentage increase of knee height was significantly greater in Group 1 than that in Group 2 and control group (9.00%, 8.37% and 8.44%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONCalcium and vitamin D-fortified milk supplementation could promote their physical development in girls aged 10 - 12 years.

Animals ; Body Height ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Child ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Food, Fortified ; Human Development ; Humans ; Milk ; metabolism ; Vitamin D ; pharmacology

Maximizing peak bone mass is advocated as a way to prevent osteoporosis. To evaluate the peak bone mass and the affecting factors in Korean women, we analyzed bone stiffness in 116 middle school students, 118 high school students and 115 female college students by using the Achilles densitometer (Lunar Corporation). Peak bone stiffness of Korean women was relatively lower than that of white women (94% of white women) and a rapid rise of bone stiffness was observed in those subjects 3-4 years after menarche. In adolescent females without menstruation, the bone stiffness was lower than that of adolescent girls with menstruation. The factors affecting the peak bone mass was similar to the risk factors of post menopausal osteoporosis: menstruation status, calcium intake and physical activity. The amount of calcium intake in Korean girls at the critical age (3-4 years after menarche) was lower than the RDA (requirement of daily allowance) at this age. To improve any program aimed at maximizing peak bone mass, further intensive study will be required to evaluate some other common factors affecting peak bone mass in Korean.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aging/physiology ; *Bone Density ; Bone and Bones/drug effects/physiology ; Calcium, Dietary/pharmacology ; Child ; Elasticity ; Female ; Human ; Korea ; Menarche

The purpose of this study was to clarify the differential effect of vitamin K and vitamin D supplementation on bone mass in young rats fed a normal or low calcium diet. Ninety female Sprague-Dawley rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomized by stratified weight method into nine groups with 10 rats in each group: baseline control, and 0.5% (normal) or 0.1% (low) calcium diet, either alone, or with vitamin K (30 mg/100g, food intake), vitamin D (25microgram/100 g, food intake), or vitamin K + vitamin D. After 10 weeks of feeding, bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on cortical bone of the tibial shaft and cancellous bone of the proximal tibia. Vitamin K supplementation increased the maturation-related cancellous bone gain and retarded the reduction in the maturation-related cortical bone gain in rats fed a low calcium diet, and increased the maturation-related cortical bone gain in rats fed a normal calcium diet. Vitamin D supplementation reduced the maturation-related cancellous bone gain, prevented the reduction in periosteal bone gain, and enhanced the enlargement of the marrow cavity, with no significant effect on the reduction in the maturation-related cortical bone gain in rats fed a low calcium diet, and increased the maturation- related cancellous and cortical bone gains with increased periosteal bone gain in rats fed a normal calcium diet. An additive effect of vitamin K and vitamin D on the maturation- related cortical bone gain was found in rats fed a normal calcium diet. This study shows the differential effects of vitamin K and vitamin D supplementation on cancellous and cortical bone mass in young rats fed a normal or low calcium diet, as well as the additive effect on cortical bone under calcium sufficient condition.
Age Factors ; Animals ; Antifibrinolytic Agents/*pharmacology ; Bone Density/*drug effects ; Bone Development/*drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary/*pharmacology ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin D/*pharmacology ; Vitamin K/*pharmacology

Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacology ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Growth ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese women with different FokI vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotypes (FF, Ff, and ff) after weaning or resumption of menstruation during lactation.

METHODSA total of 40 subjects with the same FokI VDR genotype were randomly divided into two groups: one received calcium tablet (600 mg once daily as CaCO(3)) and the other placebo tablet once daily for 1 year. At baseline, BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine (L2-L4) and at left hip whereas serum PICP, serum OC, and urinary CTX, serum 25(OH)VitD(3), and serum estradiol were measured at weaning and 1 year thereafter.

RESULTSAfter the intervention, BMD at lumbar spine and at left hip increased significantly in all these women with a trend among different FokI VDR genotypes such as FF > Ff > ff (P<0.05, <0.01, and <0.001, respectively). BMD at lumbar spine in women with FF VDR genotype increased much more rapidly than in those with ff VDR genotype (P<0.05). Compared with the control group women with the FF genotype regained more BMD after calcium supplementation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDaily calcium 600 mg supplementation has beneficial effect on the bone health of women with FF VDR genotype.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Menstruation ; physiology ; Weaning ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) PvuII polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone development in Chinese pubertal girls, and to study the importance of calcium supplementation by maximizing the peak bone mass at their pubertal stage for bone development and osteoporosis prevention and the role of estrogen in regulating bone mass.

METHODSNinety-four pubertal girls were recruited in the study and divided into two groups and three sub-groups according to the ER-alpha PvuII polymorphisms. One year before and after calcium supplementation, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA, while BGP, BAP, TRACP5b, and 25-OH-VitD(3), as well as estrogen were detected by ELISA. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the effect of ER-alpha polymorphisms on bone development.

RESULTSThe absolute increase and percentage change of BGP were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the intervened group, The increase and percentage change of the total body and radio distal 1/3 BMD were higher in PP than in PP genotype (P<0.05), and the increase of BAP in Pp was also higher than PP in the same group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPP genotype shows a better response to calcium supplementation than the other PvuII polymorphisms.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dietary Supplements ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Puberty ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of zinc supplementation on zinc and calcium levels in serum and tissue in burned rats.

METHODSEighty SD rats were randomly divided into C group (control group without scald, n = 8), and N, W, H groups (each consisting of 24 rats), in which the rats were exposed to scalding resulting in partial thickness burns covering 15% of the total body surface area on the back, and then they were fed with diets containing zinc 40 microg/g in N and W groups, and 80 microg/g in H group. A cream containing zinc 761.1 microg/g was applied on the wound in W group at the same time. Eight rats of each group were sacrificed on day 1, 3 and 7 after scald respectively. Venous blood and samples of liver, femur and scald skin were harvested. Zinc and calcium contents in serum and tissues were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe serum Zn(2+) levels in N, W groups were lower than C group, however, it was obviously higher in H group (up to 16.2 micromol/L) on day 1 after scald. The liver Zn(2+) showed an increasing tendency in all groups, while Ca(2+) level declined in H group, but increased in N, W group. The bone Zn(2+) and Ca(2+) levels showed a progressive declination in all groups from day 1 to 7 after scald. The changes were more obviously in N group than H group (P < 0.05). The Zn(2+) content of the scalded skin increased obviously in H group on first day after scald and in W group on 7th day after scald. The Ca(2+) contents of scalded skin showed marked increases in all groups, especially in N group, but least in W group.

CONCLUSIONThere are obvious changes in Zn(2+) and Ca(2+) contents of serum and tissues after scald injury and zinc supplementation. The effects of zinc supplementation on calcium level in the tissue need to be further studied.

Animals ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Zinc ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEBased on peer-reviewed random-control studies, effects of calcium supplement and intake of milk on bone mineral density (BMD) and growth in children were evaluated.

METHODSMeta-analysis was applied to review published data in random-control studies related to the effects of calcium supplement and milk consumption on BMD, body height and body weight in children.

RESULTSEleven peer-reviewed papers published during 1993 to 2006 were selected in this study. Homogeneity test showed that random effect model should be selected for weighting and pooling data. The combined means of improvement in BMD, height and body weight in children with milk intervention were 2.01 (0.92 - 3.09), 0.25 (0.09 - 0.41) and 0.63 (0.33 - 0.93), respectively, and the data from children with calcium intervention were 1.05 (0.66 - 1.43), -0.10 (-0.25 - 0.05) and -0.75 (-1.98 - 0.49), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBoth milk and calcium intakes could improve BMD of children significantly, and the difference in BMD gain through milk intake was the same as that with calcium intervention, however, compared with the control group, increasing milk intake did significantly promote growth and development of children compared to the calcium supplement group.

Animals ; Body Height ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Development ; drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Child ; Dietary Supplements ; Humans ; Milk ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between micronutrient supplementation and children growth.

METHODSA double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 156 growth retarded preschool children. They were randomly assigned to five groups: supplemental control (S-control, n = 28), zinc supplementation (+Zn, 3.5 mg Zn/day, n = 34), zinc and calcium supplementation (+ZnCa, 3.5 mg Zn + 250 mg Ca/day, n = 37), zinc and calcium and vitamin A supplementation (+ZnCaVA, 3.5 mg Zn + 250 mg Ca + 200 g VA/day, n = 28), Calcium, and vitamin A supplementation (+CaVA, 250 mg Ca + 200 g VA/day, n = 29). Another 34 children with normal height were selected as normal control (N-control). Supplementation continued for twelve months.

RESULTSThe height gain in +Zn group (7.84 cm per year) and +ZnCa group (7.70 cm per year) was significantly higher than that in S-control group (6.74 cm per year, P < 0.05); The weight gain in +ZnCaVA group (2.55 kg per year) and +CaVA group (2.57 kg per year) was also significantly higher than that in S-control group (2.19 kg per year, P < 0.05); The average days of illness in each supplementation group were lower than that in S-control (13 days per year compared with 23 days per year). No significant difference was observed on bone age.

CONCLUSIONZinc and Zinc + Calcium supplementation can improve the height gain, and vitamin A can improve weight gain in growth retarded preschool children, but do not affect the maturity of bone. Micronutrient supplementation can lower the morbidity of these children.

Body Height ; Calcium ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; diet therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Weight Gain ; Zinc ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology