Protective Effect of Zinc; Against Salt Induced Macroscopic Changes in Humerus and Femur of Rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT… Background: Nutrition is an important determinant of bone health. Micronutrients, other than calcium has been paid less attention to-date in the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of zinc on high salt induced gross changes in humerus and femur of rats. Study design: Analytical control randomized trial. Place and duration of study: Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, hosted the research with the cooperation of National Institute of Health; Islamabad. The study was approved by Ethical review committee of Riphah international university before its initiation. It took six months to complete the research (Sep 2015-March 2016. Material and methods: Forty five adult female Sprague Dawley, 10-12 weeks old rats were used in the study. Three groups were made, each having fifteen rats. Control group C (N=15) received laboratory diet without any alteration. Experimental group A (N=15) were served with high salt diet (8%NaCl) whereas experimental group B (N=15) animals were given high salt diet augmented with zinc (50mg/kg/day).All groups were given the diet for eight weeks. Animals were weighed at the start and end of study after which they were sacrificed. Left humeri and femora of all rats were obtained. Weight and mid shaft diameters of bones were recorded. The results were compiled after comparison amongst all the groups. Results: Marked gross changes were witnessed in experimental groups. These changes were of greater severity in high salt diet group as compared to the zinc supplemented group in which reverse beneficial effects were noticed. After zinc administration, there was substantial increase in the weight of animals and bones with concurrent increase in mid shaft diameters. Conclusion: Zinc has a Protective role against high salt induced damage on the gross parameters of bones. Key words:Gross parameters, mid shaft diameters, Salt, Zinc. Article Citation: Anjum K, Ali A, Shahid U. Protective effect of zinc; against salt induced macroscopic changes in humerus and femur of rats. Professional Med J 2017;24(4):580-588.