Preventive effect of beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc on bone metabolism in rats fed on low-calcium and vitamin D-deficient diets.

The effect of beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) on bone metabolism in the femoral diaphysis of rats fed on low-calcium and vitamin D-deficient diets was investigated. Rats were orally administered AHZ (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg per day) for 14 days and were killed on the 15th day. Feeding with low-calcium and vitamin D-deficient diets caused a significant decrease in serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. These decreases were not prevented by AHZ administration. Meanwhile, the femoral-diaphyseal calcium and phosphorus contents were significantly reduced by feeding with the deficient diets. Decrease in bone calcium content was significantly prevented by the doses of 30 and 100 mg AHZ/kg. Furthermore, the dose of 100 mg AHZ/kg produced a significant increase in bone deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content and alkaline phosphatase activity in rats fed on the deficient diets. Bone zinc content in the deficient rats was significantly increased by the doses of AHZ (30 and 100 mg/kg). The present results suggest that oral administration of AHZ has a preventive effect in the development of deteriorating bone metabolism in rats fed on low-calcium and vitamin D-deficient diets.