Our study aimed to verify the hypothesis of the existence of a programming effect of parental obesity on the growth, development and mineralization of the skeletal system in female and male rat offspring on the day of weaning. The study began with the induction of obesity in female and male rats of the parental generation, using a high-energy diet (group F). Females and males of the control group received the standard diet (group S). After 90 days of dietary-induced obesity, the diet in group F was changed into the standard. Rats from groups F and S were mated to obtain offspring which stayed with their mothers until 21 days of age. Tibia was tested using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), micro-computed tomography (µCT) and mechanical strength using the three-point bending test. Biochemical analysis of blood serum bone metabolism markers was performed. DXA analysis showed higher tibia bone mineral content (BMC) and area. pQCT measurements of cortical and trabecular tissue documented the increase of the volumetric bone mineral density and BMC of both bone compartments in offspring from the F group, while µCT of the trabecular tissue showed an increase in trabecular thickness and a decrease of its separation. Parental obesity, hence, exerts a programming influence on the development of the skeletal system of the offspring on the day of the weaning, which was reflected in the intensification of mineralization and increased bone strength.

This study was undertaken to determine the osteotropic effect of different doses of lipoic acid (LA) on the mineralization of bone tissue in female Wistar rats with experimental osteopenia induced by bilateral ovariectomy. Fifty-six rats were randomly selected and submitted to either a sham operation (n = 8) or an ovariectomy (n = 48). The ovariectomized rats were randomly placed into two control groups, treated subcutaneously with either physiological saline or 17β-estradiol in the dose of 4 μg/kg body mass per day, and four experimental groups that received LA subcutaneously in the doses of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body mass per day (n = 8 in each group). After 28 days of experimental treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and body mass, total skeletal density, and body composition were recorded. Blood serum and isolated femora were stored for further analysis. Our results revealed that the osteoprotective effect of LA was dose-dependent and was observed in rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of LA. Moreover, the LA applied to the ovariectomized rats in the dose of 50 mg/kg not only stopped the bone resorption, but stimulated its formation.

Introduction. This study evaluates the effects of three different doses of chromium sulphate on bone density and the tomographic parameters of skeletal tissue of rats. Materials and method. The experiment was performed on 40 male Wistar rats which received, by gavage, during 90 days, a chromium sulphate in either a daily dose of 400, 600 or 800 µg/kg BW. At the end of experiment, the rats were scanned using the densitometry method (DXA) to determine the bone mineral density, bone mineral content of total skeleton and vertebral column (L2-L4) and parameters of body composition (Lean Mass and Fat Mass). The isolated femora were scanned using peripheral a quantitative computed tomography method (pQCT) for a separate analysis of the trabecular and cortical bone tissue. The ultimate strength, work to ultimate and the Young modulus of femora was also investigated by the threepoint bending test. Results. The negative impact of chromium was observed in relation to bone tissue. All doses significantly decreased total skeleton density and mineral content, and also had impact upon the isolated femora and vertebral column. Trabecular volumetric bone mineral density and trabecular bone mineral content measured by pQCT in distal femur metaphysis were significantly lower in the experimental groups than in the control. Higher doses of chromium also significantly decreased values of ultimate strength and Young modulus in the investigated femora. Conclusions. The results of the experiment demonstrate that chromium sulphate is dose dependent, and exerts a disadvantageous effect on the skeleton, as it decreases bone density and resistance.

The study was aimed to ascertain whether continuation or change in the offspring of the diet consumed by the parents modulates, in later life, the previously programmed bone metabolism. We used adult Wistar rats (16 males; 32 females), divided into groups that were fed either a standard (diet S) or a high‐energy (diet F). After 90 days of obesity induction, the rats were submitted to obtain female offspring from parents S and F. The offspring stayed with their mothers until 21 days of age (weaning day). Our previous studies have proved the programming effects of parental obesity on the skeletal system of their offspring at the age of 21 days. Weaned female offspring were divided into groups: S/S‐parents and offspring fed the S diet; S/F‐parents fed the S diet and offspring fed the F diet; F/S‐parents fed the diet F and offspring with the diet S; F/F‐parents and offspring fed the F diet (F/F). After sacrifice, isolated femurs were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography and by a three‐point bending test. The bones were examined at 49 and 90 days of life. We found that nutritional programming has a significant influence on the development and metabolism of the skeletal system in females during growth and maturity. Moreover, the modification of nutrition alters the metabolism of bone tissue, and the osteotropic effects vary depending on the nature of the change, as well as the stage of development. Reducing the caloric content of the diet inhibits the mineralization and decreases the mechanical strength of the bones while increasing the caloric content of the diet has a beneficial osteotropic effect.

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