title: Pre-suckling calcium supplementation effectively prevents lactation-induced osteopenia in rats.
abstract: 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.affiliation: Center of Calcium and Bone Research (COCAB Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand;
authors.forename: Panan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suntornsaratoon
authors.forename: Kamonshanok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kraidith
authors.forename: Jarinthorn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teerapornpuntakit
authors.forename: Nitita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dorkkam
authors.forename: Kannikar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wongdee
authors.forename: Nateetip
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krishnamra
authors.forename: Narattaphol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Charoenphandhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary
keywords: bone histomorphometry; bone mineral density; intestinal calcium absorption; lactation-induced osteoporosis; oral calcium supplement