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Related Experiment Videos

Long-term low ascorbic acid intake reduces bone mass in guinea pigs

D E Kipp1, C E Grey, M E McElvain

  • 1Departments of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160, USA.

The Journal of Nutrition
|August 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Long-term ascorbic acid (AA) deficiency in guinea pigs led to lower bone mass and increased bone turnover. Conversely, excess AA intake did not cause bone abnormalities, suggesting a protective effect against deficiency-related issues.

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Area of Science:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Bone Biology
  • Skeletal Physiology

Background:

  • Ascorbic acid (AA), or vitamin C, is essential for collagen synthesis and bone health.
  • Understanding the long-term effects of varying AA intake on bone mass is crucial for skeletal development and maintenance.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on AA deficiency, with less known about the impact of long-term excess intake.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of low, normal, and excess dietary ascorbic acid (AA) intake on bone mass and turnover in guinea pigs.
  • To determine if prolonged AA deficiency or excess impacts skeletal maturation and bone mineral density.
  • To compare bone histomorphometry in guinea pigs with different long-term AA dietary levels.

Main Methods:

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  • Young guinea pigs (12-14 days old) were fed diets with low (0.15 g/kg), normal (0.50 g/kg), or excess (10 g/kg) AA for 12 months.
  • Total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
  • Histomorphometric analysis of tibial bone was performed after in vivo dual fluorochrome labeling to assess bone turnover rates.

    • Main Results:

    • Long-term low AA intake resulted in significantly lower total body BMD (4.9%) and BMC (12.4%) compared to the normal AA group.
    • Guinea pigs with low AA intake exhibited increased bone turnover, indicated by higher double-labeled bone surface, mineralizing surface, and bone formation rate.
    • No significant differences in BMD, BMC, or histomorphometric parameters were observed between the normal AA and excess AA groups, or between the low and excess AA groups.

    Conclusions:

    • Long-term ascorbic acid deficiency during critical growth and maturation phases leads to bone abnormalities and reduced bone mass in adult guinea pigs.
    • Sustained high dietary intake of ascorbic acid did not result in adverse bone effects and may not offer additional benefits beyond normal levels.
    • These findings highlight the importance of adequate ascorbic acid nutrition for maintaining skeletal health and underscore the lack of toxicity from excess intake within the studied range.