Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
Volume 306, Issue 2, Pages E177-E188Publisher
AMER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00556.2013
Keywords
bone histomorphometry; bone mineral density; intestinal calcium absorption; lactation-induced osteoporosis; oral calcium supplement
Categories
Funding
- Mahidol University
- Thailand Research Fund-Mahidol University through the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program [PHD/0172/2552]
- National Science and Technology Development Agency [P-10-11281]
- Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
Ask authors/readers for more resources
During lactation, osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and intestinal calcium hyperabsorption help provide extra calcium for lactogenesis. Since the suckling-induced surge of pituitary prolactin (PRL) rapidly stimulates calcium absorption in lactating rats, it is hypothesized that pre-suckling oral calcium supplementation should be an efficient regimen to shift the calcium source from bone to diet, thereby slowing lactation-induced osteopenia. Our results showed that 30-min suckling markedly stimulated maternal duodenal calcium transport, which returned to the baseline at 45 min. Lactating rats given 4 mg/kg per dose calcium via a gavage tube at 90 min pre-suckling 4 doses a day for 14 days prevented a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of long bones and vertebrae. On the other hand, a single-dose supplementation, despite the same amount of calcium per day, appeared less effective. Because glucose and galactose further stimulated duodenal calcium transport in lactating rats, pre-suckling calcium supplement containing both sugars successfully normalized plasma ionized calcium and led to better bone gain than that with calcium alone. A histomorphometric study revealed that lactating rats given pre-suckling calcium plus monosaccharide supplement manifested greater trabecular bone volume and thickness and exhibited less eroded surface than in vehicle-treated lactating rats. Beneficial effects of the 14-day calcium supplementation persisted until 6 mo postweaning in dams and also elevated the baseline BMD of the offspring. In conclusion, our proof-of-concept study has corroborated that pre-suckling calcium supplements, especially regimens containing monosaccharides, are efficient in preventing osteopenia in lactating rats and could increase bone density in both breastfeeding mothers and neonates.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available