British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2003 - Volume 90, Issue 03  

Research Article

The effect of bovine whey protein on ectopic bone formation in young growing rats

Owen Kellya1, Siobhan Cusacka1 and Kevin D. Cashmana1a2 c1

a1 Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland

a2 Department of Medicine, University College, Cork, Republic of Ireland

Abstract

The beneficial effect of bovine whey protein (WP) on bone metabolism has been shown in adult human subjects and ovariectomised rats. However, its effect on bone formation in earlier life, particularly during periods of bone mineral accrual, has not been investigated. Twenty-one male rats (4 weeks old, Wistar strain) were randomised by weight into three groups of seven rats each and fed ad libitum on a semi-purified low-Ca diet (3·0 g Ca/kg diet) containing 0 (control), 10 (diet WP1) or 20 (diet WP2) g bovine WP/kg for 47 d. On day 34 of the dietary intervention, all rats had two gelatine capsules containing demineralised bone powder implanted subcutaneously in the thorax region (a well-established in vivo model of ectopic bone formation). At 14 d after implantation, alkaline phosphatase activity (reflective of bone formation) in the bone implants from animals fed WP1 and -2 diets was almost 2-fold (P<0·01) that of control animals. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I mRNA levels were about 3-fold (P<0·05) higher in implants from animals fed the WP diets compared with those from control animals. Serum- and urine-based biomarkers of bone metabolism and bone mineral composition in intact femora were unaffected by WP supplementation. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that bovine WP can enhance the rate of ectopic bone formation in young growing rats fed a Ca-restricted diet. This effect may be mediated by an increased synthesis of IGF-I in growing bone. The effect of WP on bone formation warrants further investigation.

(Received March 07 2002)

(Revised March 20 2003)

(Accepted May 14 2003)

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c1 *Corresponding author: Professor Kevin D. Cashman, fax +353 21 4270244, email k.cashman@ucc.ie