The effect of vitamin K and D supplementation on ovariectomy-induced bone loss

This study was designed to assess the effect of vitamin K and D supplementa tion on ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8-9 months were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham operated and divided into five exp erimental groups: (1) ovariectomy (OVX), (2) OVX plus vitamin K supplementa tion, (3) OVX plus vitamin D supplementation, (4) OVX plus vitamin K and vi tamin D supplementation, and (5) sham operation. The trabecular bone area w as estimated by bone histomorphometry by microradiography and histological examination. Bone loss in OVX plus vitamin K and vitamin D group was signif icantly reduced at both 7 and 14 weeks compared with the OVX group. No sign ificant bone loss in OVX plus vitamin K or OVX plus vitamin D groups was fo und. A similar effect of vitamin K and D supplementation on ovariectomy-ind uced bone loss was recognized in histological examination. Our findings ind icate that vitamins K and D may have a synergistic effect on reducing bone loss. This is valuable information for the treatment of bone loss in postme nopausal women with osteoporosis.