Tin decreases femoral calcium independently of calcium homeostasis in rats.

Oral administration of stannous chloride (SnCl2) (1.0 mg Sn2$/kg body weight) to rats, twice daily for 28 days, caused a significant increase in the tin (Sn) content and a corresponding decrease of the calcium (Ca) content in the femoral epiphysis, but was without effect on serum Ca, intestinal Ca absorption, and urinary and fecal Ca excretion. The results indicate that in rats Sn directly inhibits bone formation independently of Ca homeostasis.