The effect of food restriction and germ-free environment on age-related changes in bone matrix

Studies were performed to determine the effects of food restriction or a germ-free environment on age-related changes in bone. Four groups of male Lobund-Wistar rats were examined at 6 months, 18 months, and 30 months of age. Conventional-free-fed rats were housed in routine laboratory cages and fed ad libitum. Conventional-restricted diet rats were fed 12 grams a day, which becomes restrictive at 8 weeks of age. Germ-free rats were maintained using gnotobiotic procedures and were free of pathogens. The germ-free rats were maintained on either the full-fed or restricted diet regimens. Serum bone Gla protein and matrix concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and hydroxyproline (reflecting collagen content) and bone Gla protein were not significantly different between the four treatment groups. All of these parameters except hydroxyproline, however, showed age-related declines in all four treatment groups. We conclude that prolongation of rat life span by dietary restriction and/or a germ-free environment did not alter the measured parameters in each age group, and did not alter or slow the age-related changes in the bone matrix.