Abstract
The preventive effect of Saldi tierra containing various trace elements on bone loss which is induced in rats with diabetes or adjuvant arthritis were investigated. Rats received a single subcutaneous administration of streptozotocin (STZ) (6.0 mg/100 g body weight), and the animals were orally administered a solution of Saldi tierra (25 or 50 mg/100 g) once daily for 14 days. STZ-administered rats caused a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride, or calcium levels and a significant decrease in body weight or serum inorganic phosphorus levels. These alterations were significantly restored after the oral administration of Saldi tierra. The femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal calcium contents were significantly decreased in STZ-diabetic rats. This decrease was significantly inhibited after the administration of Saldi tierra (25 or 50 mg/100 g). The decreases in diaphyseal and metaphyseal alkaline phosphatase activity and metaphyseal DNA content were significantly prevented after the administration of Saldi tierra (50 mg/100 g). Meanwhile, rats received an injection of 1% Mycobacterium butyricum suspension into the subplantar surface of the right hind paw, and the animals were orally administered Saldi tierra (50 mg/100 g) once daily for 18 days. Calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues were significantly decreased in rats with adjuvant arthritis. These decreases were significantly inhibited after the administration of Saldi tierra (50 mg/100 g). This study demonstrates that the intake of Saldi tierra has preventive effects against bone loss in rats with diabetes or adjuvant arthritis in vivo.
