DHEA administration has limited effect onintestinal Ca absorption in ovariectomized rats

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Bone Biology
• Mineral Metabolism

Background:

• Estrogen deficiency, common after ovariectomy, leads to bone loss.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an androgen precursor with potential anabolic effects.
• The impact of DHEA on calcium (Ca) absorption during estrogen deficiency remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of DHEA administration on bone mineral content (BMC) and Ca balance in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
• To assess intestinal Ca absorption and accumulation following DHEA treatment in an estrogen-deficient model.

Main Methods:

• Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with DHEA (20 mg/kg) or vehicle for 8 weeks.
• Bone mineral content (BMC) of the lumbar spine and femoral wet weight were measured.
• Intestinal Ca absorption and accumulation rates were quantified.

Main Results:

• DHEA treatment significantly increased lumbar spine BMC and femoral wet weight, normalized by body weight.
• Intestinal Ca absorption and accumulation parameters showed a decreasing trend over time but did not differ between DHEA-treated and control groups.
• No significant interaction between time and group was observed for Ca balance parameters.

Conclusions:

• DHEA administration positively impacts trabecular bone mass in OVX rats.
• DHEA may have a limited effect on intestinal Ca absorption in the context of estrogen deficiency.