Influence of dietary calcium concentration on the body size and bone composition in rats during recovery from malnutrition

Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the influence of different levels of calcium (Ca) in a diet containing 30% protein on the rehabilitated of the body size from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and to establish the optimal Ca/protein ratio for attaining a normal body composition. Methods: Weanling female Wistar rats were fed with protein-free diet up to a weight deficit of 20+/-1%. Then they were arranged in groups (TO) and fed diets with 30% protein and 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.9 or 1.2% Ca for 28 days (T28),Food and deionized water were given ad libitum. Body weight and length were recorded every 3 days, Al T28, the animals were sacrificed to determine Femur composition. Results: At T13, weight-for-age (W/A) was within the normal range for rats consuming greater than or equal to 0.6% Ca. At T28 all groups showed adequate W/A. Although length-for-age was adequate during rehabilitated period, rate of weight gain improved when Ca was greater than or equal to 0.6%. Femur length did not show significant difference between groups. Total femur Ca content and mg Ca/g of dry-weight tissue increased with increments in dietary Ca concentration and tended to plateau with 0.4% Ca. Ca/P ratio reached the, highest value with 0.9% Ca. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that at a dietary protein level of 30% the Ca/protein ratio is a limiting:: factor in attaining of normal body size, this is achievable when Ca concentration is 1.2% and the Ca/protein ratio is 0.04.