Influence of Vitamin D Restriction on Body Composition and Bone Strength According to Age Differences in Male Rats Fed a High-fat Diet

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of vitamin D restriction on body composition and bone strength in male rats of different ages fed a high-fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats ［7 (y-) or 14 weeks old］ were divided into four groups: basic control diet (y-C, C), vitamin D-restricted basic diet (y-DR, DR), high-fat diet (y-F, F), and vitamin D-restricted high-fat diet (y-FDR, FDR) groups. At 28 days after starting the experimental diets, the high-fat diet significantly increased the weight of fat, and vitamin D restriction significantly decreased the weight of muscle in male rats aged both 7 and 14 weeks. Furthermore, vitamin D restriction significantly decreased the bone mineral density (BMD), cortical bone thickness, and trabecular bone area ratio of the femur or lumbar vertebrae. Vitamin D restriction also decreased the femoral or lumbar vertebral BMD and muscle weight in rats fed a high-fat diet.