Brandon J Valgardson and Dr. Robert Davidson; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science
Bone deterioration affects all people. Postmenopausal women are affected more than men. However, the elderly tend to shrink instead of maintain the same height because their bone density is diminishing. Death is a result of severe osteoporosis. Bone mineral growth is said to be increased by pharmacologic levels of vitamin K, supplemented by a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Frequent doses of vitamin K in one’s diet cause the bone mineral density to increase in individuals affected by the disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risk for the onset of osteoporosis. This research experiment is based on the hypothesis that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), supplemented with pharmacologic levels of vitamin K, together have a combined effect to reduce bone mineral loss rate in ovariectomized rats.
The approach to this problem is to test rats with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, along with pharmacologic levels of vitamin K supplements to discover the combined affect of both of these compounds on bone mineral density. This study is still in process using overiectemized rats which are an animal model for osteoporosis research. Female rats with their ovaries removed lose bone mineral density at an increased rate.
The following procedure is currently being carried out until July (or August) 10, 2006, depending on the progress of the experimental data in July. A control group of 11 rats were sacrificed upon arrival of the rats on January 10, 2006 so a base line can be used to compare the data of the study. A 3-point femur bone strength test is performed to find the strength of the bone in the baseline control group. Stronger bone correlates to more mineral in the bone. Following, the broken bones are ashed using a muffle furnace at 630o Celsius which burns off all but the mineral content. This is compared to the bone mineral data obtained using the other rats in the study. 11 rats with a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids (corn oil) and normal vitamin K levels are the control (sham) group. 11 more rats are studied supplemented with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids only, and normal vitamin K levels. 11 other rats with a diet high in omega-6 fatty acid food supplemented with pharmacologic levels (1500 times) of vitamin K is another group. 11 more rats with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and pharmacologic levels (1500 times) of vitamin K. A Bone Mineral Density test is done by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) on each of the rats bi-monthly to demonstrate changes in their bone mineral density. Comparison of the changes in bone mineral density for each treatment group is done by using analysis variance statistics. This data will be obtained and compared to the data from the baseline group sacrificed on January 10, 2006. On July (or August) 10, 2006 a final DEXA scan on each living rat will take place. Following all the living rats will be sacrificed and the 3-point bone strength test followed by bone ashing will be done on all of the rats in the study.
The results and findings on April 25, 2006 in the experiment are summed up in the following two graphs produced by David Hunt. Figure 1 shows the different groups at the beginning of the study. The non-surgery group was sacrificed after the DEXA scans were performed upon arrival of the rats on January 10, 2006. The other 5 groups are currently being fed their respective diets and still receiving their bi-monthly DEXA scan and analysis.
The data in Figure 2 is the last data I was involved in obtaining before graduation because the data obtained at the end of 4 months takes about four weeks to generate the statistics. I do not have the 4 month statistics because I was not involved in the last rat bone DEXA scans and data generation done on May 10, 2006. Up until graduation, the only problem associated with the experiment is the software for the 3-point strength test was not compatible with rat bones. A new machine was ordered and scheduled to arrive mid-June.
Throughout the last two semesters I have been excited to help gather research already done, care for the rats, and study the results of this experiment. It is a shame that the experiment could not have been started earlier so that I could have participated in the entire research experiment. Dr. Robert Davidson is a wonderful mentor. I am excited to have been part of his team in this research study. I am now starting dental school and would like to participate in research applying to the problem of periodontal disease, which is the loss of bone mineral density of the jawbones; which in turn causes the bone to be absorbed with the end result of tooth loss.