title: Effects of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation on Micro-architectural and Densitometric Changes of Rat Femur in a Microgravity Simulator Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Revealing data on the role of vitamin D and calcium supplementation in bone health has led some to suggest that vitamin D and calcium treatment could also play a role in protecting bone against microgravity-induced mineral loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D and calcium administration on microscopic and densitometric changes of rat femur in a Microgravity Simulator Model.
  
  
  METHODS
  After designing a Microgravity Simulator Model, 14 rats were placed in the cages as follows: seven rats as osteoporosis group and seven rats received oral supplement of calcium/vitamin D as the treatment group. Animals were sacrificed after eight weeks and then both femurs were removed. Bone mineral density was measured for one femur from each animal, and morphologic studies were evaluated for the contralateral femur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bone mineral density of the whole femur in the treatment group was significantly higher than the osteoporosis group (0.168 ± 0.005 vs. 0.153 ± 0.006, P = 0.003). Also, bone mineral content of the whole femur was significantly higher in treatment group (0.415 ± 0.016 vs. 0.372 ± 0.019, P = 0.003). However, resorption eroded surface percentage was higher in the osteoporosis group (18.86 ± 3.71% vs. 9.71 ± 1.61%, P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, vitamin D and calcium administration might have protective effects against microgravity-induced mineral loss in a Rat Microgravity Simulator Model.
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran ; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , IR Iran.
authors: Marjan
authors: M
authors: Kouhnavard
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran ; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , IR Iran.
authors: Ensieh
authors: E
authors: Nasli Esfahani
authors: Young Researchers Club, Babol Branch, Babol, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Montazeri
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran ; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , IR Iran.
authors: Seyed Jafar
authors: SJ
authors: Hashemian
authors: Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Mehrazma
authors: Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , IR Iran.
authors: Bagher
authors: B
authors: Larijani
authors: Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine Faculty, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Nezami Asl
authors: Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine Faculty, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Khoshvaghti
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Ammar
authors: A
authors: Falsafi
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Komeil
authors: K
authors: Lalehfar
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Keyvan
authors: K
authors: Malekpour
authors: Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Mehran
authors: M
authors: Vosugh
keywords: Bone Density; Calcium; Dietary Supplements; Osteoporosis; Vitamin D; Weightlessness