The effects of diets high in zinc at different levels of calcium and vitamin D on the rat humerus and incisor

Alteration of in vitro bone metabolism and tooth formation by zinc

1. The effects of zinc on bone metabolism and tooth formation was examined in organ cultures of calvaria and tooth germ, and in cell cultures of osteoblast-like cells, MC3T3-E1. 2. Treatment of calvaria with zinc (10, 100 microM) for 4 days both increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in bone and reduced the secretion of N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase from bone, without affecting bone mineral or collagen content. The increase in ALP activity produced by zinc (10 microM) was inhibited neither by actinomycin D (5 micrograms/ml) nor by cycloheximide (0.5 micrograms/ml). 3. Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with zinc (50, 100 microM) for 25 days also increased ALP activity, but reduced calcium content in cells and in the matrix layer. 4. These results indicate that zinc increases ALP activity in osteoblasts without affecting de novo enzyme synthesis, and that it inhibits bone mineralization, in accordance with the inhibition of osteoclastic activity. 5. Treatment of tooth germ with zinc (100 microM) for 7 days also produced an increase in ALP activity and inhibition of mineralization. These results indicate that the increased ALP activity produced by zinc is a common phenomenon in hard tissues, and, further, that zinc inhibits mineralization during tissue formation.

The effects of cadmium, copper or zinc on formation of embryonic chick bone in tissue culture

Femurs from 9-day-old chick embryo were cultivated for 6 days by the roller-tube method in the presence of Cd, Cu or Zn. Cd (5.0 microM and above) and Cu (2.5 microM and above) caused a decrease in collagen content of both diaphysis and epiphysis, mainly due to inhibition of collagen synthesis. In addition, Cd and Cu each showed a tendency to inhibit an increase in Ca content of diaphysis, where intraperiosteal ossification could be observed. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was decreased by Cd (5.0 microM and above) or Cu (10 microM and above) in diaphysis. On the other hand, Zn at 50 microM and above inhibited an increase in Ca content of the diaphysis with a remarkable elevation of ALP activity in the medium. At this time, Zn did not decrease the collagen content of the diaphysis so strongly. Histological observations revealed that Cd and Cu each decreased both calcified and uncalcified osteoid tissue at 2.5 microM, while Zn at 100 microM decreased calcified tissue but increased uncalcified osteoid tissue. As Zn accumulated particularly in diaphysis and deposited at the edge of calcified tissue, it was suggested that Zn inhibited calcification physicochemically. It was concluded that Cd or Cu would induce bone damage represented by osteoporosis, whereas Zn would induce osteomalacia.

Effect of zinc supplements on the intestinal absorption of calcium

Pharmacologic doses of zinc are widely used as zinc supplements. As calcium and zinc may compete for common absorption sites, a study was carried out on the effect of a pharmacologic dose of zinc on the intestinal absorption of calcium in adult males. The analyzed dietary zinc intake in the control studies was normal, averaging 14.6 mg/day. During the high zinc study, 140 mg zinc as the sulfate was added daily for time periods ranging from 17 to 71 days. The studies were carried out during both a low calcium intake averaging 230 mg/day and during a normal calcium intake of 800 mg/day. Calcium absorption studies were carried out during the normal and high zinc intake by using an oral tracer dose of Ca47 and determining plasma levels and urinary and fecal excretions of Ca47. The study has shown that, during zinc supplementation, the intestinal absorption of calcium was significantly lower during a low calcium intake than in the control study, 39.3% vs 61% respectively, p less than 0.001. However, during a normal calcium intake of 800 mg/day, the high zinc intake had no significant effect on the intestinal absorption of calcium. These studies have shown that the high zinc intake decreased the intestinal absorption of calcium during a low calcium intake but not during a normal calcium intake.

Calcitonin inhibits the increase in bone acid phosphatase activity by high dose of zinc in rats

The activity of femoral-epiphyseal acid phosphatase, a marker enzyme of bone resorption induced by parathyroid hormone, was increased by a single oral dose of Zn 100 mg/kg to rats. This increase was completely inhibited by calcitonin which has antagonistic effect on the action of parathyroid hormone on bone, thus supporting the hypothesis that the effect of Zn administration on bone may be mediated by parathyroid hormone.

Atropine inhibits bone resorption induced by high dose of zinc in rats

A single oral administration of high amounts of zinc (Zn) induced hypocalcemia and bone resorption in rats. Atropine inhibited both effects thus supporting the hypothesis that the effect of Zn administration on bone results from the hypocalcemia mediated by acetylcholine.

Zinc-induced hypocalcemia and bone resorption in rats

The changes of calcium levels in serum and in the femur were examined in rats administered oral doses of zinc sulfate (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg Zn/100 g body weight) for 3 days. All doses of zinc caused significant decreases in calcium levels in serum and in the femoral diaphysis and epiphysis. The decrease in these femoral calcium levels was seen 1 day after administration of zinc (10 mg/100 g). Furthermore, time course studies of the effect of zinc administration showed that, at 1 hr after zinc administration, calcium levels in serum and in femoral epiphysis but not in diaphysis were significantly decreased. In thyroparathyroidectomized rats, however, no significant decrease of the epiphyseal calcium was observed by administration of zinc (10 mg Zn/100 g), but the serum calcium level was significantly lowered. Zinc administration to intact rats caused a significant increase in acid phosphatase activity in the femoral epiphysis but not in the diaphysis. This increase was clearly prevented by thyroparathyroidectomy. Accumulations of zinc in the femoral epiphysis and diaphysis after zinc administration was not significantly altered by thyroparathyroidectomy. These results suggest that zinc-induced hypocalcemia may cause bone resorption which is primarily mediated by the action of the parathyroid hormone and it is related to calcium homeostasis in rats.

Factors affecting the distribution of zinc in the human skeleton

The zinc content of trabecular and cortical bone was measured in 28 femora obtained at autopsy. The ratios of calcium to zinc, phosphorus and magnesium were determined and their relation to age and vertebral density was investigated. The calcium/zinc ration was significantly higher in cortical as opposed to trabecular bone, whereas the calcium/phosphorus ratios were similar. There was a significant decrease in the calcium/zinc ratios of both trabecular and cortical bone with age and the former was directly related to vertebral density. The calcium/phosphorus ratios of trabecular and cortical bone did not vary significantly with age or vertebral density. Magnesium/zinc ratios tended to parallel the calcium/zinc ratios. The calcium/magnesium ratios were significantly higher in cortical as opposed to trabecular bone. None of these ratios appeared to be affected by the sex of the subject. These findings suggest that changes in skeletal zinc content with age are related to alterations in bone morphology, and that osteoporosis in man develops in association with zinc accumulation rather than zinc deficiency.