ZINC-CALCIUM INTERACTION IN HEPARIN-INDUCED OSTEOPOROTIC RABBIT PLASMA

Female New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to heparin treatment t o induce osteoporosis and to observe the effects of calcitonin and tam oxifen treatments on the initiation of osteoporosis, The aim of this s tudy is to investigate zinc-calcium interaction as well as the alterat ions of plasma biochemical parameters in these animals and, thus, to a ssist in clinical usage of these drugs. Thirty-two animals were divide d into 4 groups and medicated for 8 weeks. The animals in group A were administered heparin (Liquemine) intraperitoneally at the dosage of 1 ,000 IU/kg/day. The animals in group B were injected the same amount o f heparin as that of group A and, in addition, calcitonin at the dosag e of 100 IU/kg/day. The animals in group C were medicated the same way as group B, but 2 mg/kg/day tamoxifen (Nolvadex) were orally added to their diet. The animals in last roup were the control, Studied variab les, in addition to the biomechanical parameters various bones, a were all electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium and pho sphorus levels in sera, creatinine, total protein, albumin, alkalene p hosphalase, progesteron, estrogen, and globulin concentrations in plas ma, and also zinc level in plasma. Heparin and heparin plus calcitonin treatment caused an increase and a decrease in the plasma calcium and zinc levels, respectively, with respect to the control (p < 0.05), wh ereas tamoxifen treatment in addition to heparin plus calcitonin did n ot alter the calcium level significantly, but still zinc revel was low er than the control (p < 0.05). Plasma mineral contents except phospho rus in 3 experimental groups decreased significantly with respect to t he control. The estrogen and globulin levels in serum in all treated g roups increased and these increases were statistically significant wit h respect to the control, whereas the serum albumin and alkalene phosp hatase levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The results showed t hat some alterations in plasma biochemical parameters of heparin-induc ed osteoporotic animals are observed and some of these alterations are reversed by tamoxifen treatment of these animals.