Effect of duration of alcohol consumption on calcium and bone metabolism during pregnancy in the rat.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the consequences of drinking during pregnancy for the long-term health of the mother. Alcohol (ethanol) has been shown to disrupt calcium (Ca) homeostasis and is known to have deleterious effects on bone. During pregnancy, bone turnover is increased to maintain Ca homeostasis; therefore, pregnancy may be a time of life when maternal bone is particularly susceptible to the effects of ethanol. This study investigated the effect of duration of ethanol consumption on Ca homeostasis and bone during pregnancy in the rat.


METHODS
Rats were fed ethanol (36% ethanol-derived calories) in liquid diets for 3 (21 days gestation only) or 6 (3 weeks before and throughout 21 days gestation) weeks. Maternal blood was analyzed for Ca (total and ionized Ca [iCa]), the Ca-regulating hormones (parathyroid hormone [PTH], 1,25(OH)2D, calcitonin), and osteocalcin (a marker for bone formation). Bone was analyzed for ash (mineral) content.


RESULTS
Dams consuming ethanol (E dams) had decreased blood Ca levels (total and iCa) at both 3 and 6 weeks, but iCa was lower in E dams after 6 compared with 3 weeks. Importantly, ethanol seemed to interfere with the normal compensatory response to these decreased Ca levels. In contrast to pair-fed controls, serum PTH levels actually were decreased, 1,25(OH)2D levels failed to increase, and calcitonin levels were increased in ethanol-consuming dams, regardless of duration. Moreover, ethanol decreased bone formation, as indicated by serum osteocalcin levels, after both 3 and 6 weeks consumption, and after 6 weeks, the ash content of bone also was decreased. In addition, a relationship was found between the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and some measures of Ca and bone metabolism. Serum 1,25(OH)2D and osteocalcin levels varied inversely, whereas serum calcitonin varied directly with BAC, suggesting that time of sampling after drinking may be an important variable for interpreting ethanol's effects on Ca and bone metabolism. In all rats, serum osteocalcin levels varied directly with PTH and 1,25(OH)2D levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethanol consumption during pregnancy impaired Ca homeostasis in the dam, regardless of duration of consumption, and resulted in decreased bone formation and ash content of bone. Significant relationships among the Ca-regulating hormones, BAC, and osteocalcin support the hypothesis that ethanol's effects on the Ca-regulating hormones may mediate some of its effects on bone.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D015675:Osteocalcin; D000431:Ethanol; D002116:Calcitonin; D002117:Calcitriol; D002118:Calcium