HIGH-LIPID DIET INTAKE IS A POSSIBLE PREDISPOSING FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOGONADAL OSTEOPOROSIS

The effects of a high-lipid diet on the intestinal transference of Ca2 + and the activities of intestinal enzymes were studied in ovariectomi zed rats. The plasma Ca2+ level and urinary loss of Ca2+ were also obs erved. Ovariectomy decreased both alkaline phosphatase (AP) and calciu m ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) activity, and also reduced the mucosal transfer ence of Ca2+ in all parts of the small intestine. Although the plasma Ca2+ level did not change significantly, the urinary loss of Ca2+ was enhanced. A high-lipid diet supplement enhanced all these parameters i n ovariectomized rats. It is therefore believed that a high-lipid diet may promote osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats as the result of Ca2 transfer and enhanced urinary Ca2+ loss.