Serum sclerostin is positively associated with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Our preliminary studies confirmed that Qing'e formula (QEF) could effectively increase serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but the effect of supplementation with QEF on serum sclerostin is unknown. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of QEF on serum sclerostin levels in patients with PMOP. Totally 120 outpatients and inpatients with PMOP treated in our hospital between January and October 2012 were randomly divided into QEF+calcium group, alfacalcidol+calcium group, and placebo+calcium group (n=40 each), with a follow-up period of 2 years. The serum levels of sclerostin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, and bone turnover markers (β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP) at baseline and at the 6th month, 1st year, 1.5th year, and 2nd year after treatment were measured. The results showed that the levels of circulating sclerostin were increased significantly at the 6th month after treatment in QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group as compared with placebo+calcium group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The levels of β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP in serum were decreased in both QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group at the 6th month after treatment, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). But the levels were significantly lower than that in placebo+calcium group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the mechanism by which QEF modulates bone metabolism in patients with PMOP might be related with the effect of QEF in increasing sclerostin expression. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEF as an effective drug to prevent bone loss in PMOP.
Biomarkers ; blood ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroxycholecalciferols ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

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 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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor gene Px haplotype and the effect of calcium and soy isoflavone supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) of Chinese postmenopausal women.

METHODSIt was a randomly controlling test for 12 months. The Pvu II and Xba I polymorphisms of ER-alpha gene were detected by using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in 691 Chinese postmenopausal women, aged 45-65 years. In 497 carriers of definitive Pvu II-Xba I haplotype, 93 subjects were chosen randomly. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXEA). According to BMD T score in any skeleton site of 81 subjects at baseline, 29 subjects with T > or = -1.5 were grouped into observation group, and 52 subjects with T < -1.5 were randomly assigned into two intervention groups and received either a 100 mg soy isoflavone and 440 mg Ca and 100 IU VD supplement/d (n = 26) or 440 mg Ca and 100 IU VD supplement/d (n = 26). BMD of the whole body, lumber (L2-L4), and hip were measured at baseline and after 12 months.

RESULTSAfter one year fellow-up, the BMD at L2-L4, femur neck site and whole body were significantly decreased as compared with those of baseline (P < 0.05, change percent of BMD as follows: -3.31%, -3.09%, -1.88%) in observation group, and the whole body BMD was significantly lower at 12 month than that at baseline in subjects with Px haplotype (percent change was -2.44%, P < 0.05), but no difference was found in subjects without Px haplotype. Whole body and femur neck BMD were significantly decreased in both Ca group and Ca + soy isoflavone group, but no significant difference of change percent between two groups. There were no significant changes in L2-L4 and trochanter BMD irrespective of treatment. ER-alpha Px haplotype had no effect on the changes in BMD in both Ca group and Ca + soy isoflavone group.

CONCLUSIONThe rate of bone loss in Chinese postmenopausal women seems to haverelation to ER Px haplotype. Calcium supplementation for 1 year might lower the bone loss rate, but soy isoflavone supplementation for 1 year had notshowu no effects. The effect of supplementation had no relationship with ER Px haplotype.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; genetics ; Calcium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Dietary Supplements ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Postmenopause ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; Soybean Proteins ; 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 compare the effects of soy isoflavone with supplemental calcium to soy isoflavone or Ca alone on preservation of bone mineral density (BMD) and the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I.

METHODSSprague-Dawley (SD) female Rats, 6 months old, were ovariectomized and randomized into five groups: sham-operated group (n = 10) or ovx (n = 40) group. Shams were fed a 3.272 g/kg Ca diet. Ovx rats were randomized to a 3.272 g/kg Ca diet alone (OVX) or with soy isoflavone (SI) extract (37.95 mg/kg.bw) or to a supplemental Ca diet (Ca, 4.676 g/kg) alone or a supplemental Ca diet with the isoflavone extract (SI + Ca) for 12 weeks. BMD of femur was measured by scanner of bone mineral density. The level of IGF-1 mRNA expression was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between group Sham (0.267 +/- 0.008) and group SI + Ca (0.263 +/- 0.007) g/cm(2) (P > 0.05) on femur BMD of distal end. Femur BMD of distal end in group Sham and group SI + Ca was greater (P < 0.05) as compared to group OVX (0.245 +/- 0.005) g/cm(2), SI (0.258 +/- 0.011) g/cm(2) or Ca (0.255 +/- 0.004) g/cm(2), P < 0.05. The liver tissue IGF-1 mRNA contents (IGF-1 cDNA/B-actin cDNA) were significantly decreased in group Sham (0.200 +/- 0.023) g/cm(2), SI (0.278 +/- 0.019) g/cm(2), Ca (0.302 +/- 0.026) g/cm(2) or SI + Ca (0.231 +/- 0.025) g/cm(2) as compared to group OVX (0.362 +/- 0.031) g/cm(2), P < 0.05; The liver tissue IGF-1 mRNA contents (IGF-1 cDNA/B-actin cDNA) were significantly decreased in group SI + Ca (0.231 +/- 0.025) g/cm(2) compared to group SI (0.278 +/- 0.019) g/cm(2) and Ca (0.302 +/- 0.026) g/cm(2), P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSSoy isoflavones combined with supplemental Ca are more protective against the loss of femur BMD than soy isoflavones or supplemental Ca diet alone. The dose of SI (37.95 mg/kg.bw) might significantly restrain the rising of the liver tissue IGF-1 mRNA contents caused by ovariectomy.

Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium, Dietary ; pharmacology ; Female ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Soybeans

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

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