Influence of Leucine Supplementation on Bone Metabolism in Male Rats

―A Basic Control Diet with 5％ Leucine Supplementation for 4 Weeks in 11-week-old Rats―

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of leucine, one of the branched chain amino acids, on bone metabolism. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats (11 weeks old) were divided into two groups: those fed a basic control diet (Cont.; n＝9) , and those fed a basic control diet with 5％ leucine supplementation (Leu; n＝9) . At 28 days after starting the experimental diet, there were no significant differences in the total fat pad, visceral fat pad, subcutaneous fat pad, muscle, or body fat ratio between the Cont. and Leu groups. A calcium (Ca) balance test revealed no significant differences in Ca absorption, the rate of Ca absorption, Ca retention, or the rate of Ca retention between the two groups. Moreover, there were no significant inter-group differences in the alkaline phosphatase-specific activity in the femur, calcium content/dry weight of the femur, bone mineral content of the femur, and bone mineral density of the femur. Thus, the present study found no influence of leucine on bone metabolism.