Bone composition and histology of young growing rats fed diets of varied calcium bioavailability: Spinach, nonfat dry milk, or calcium carbonate added to casein

Bone composition and histology were evaluated in young growing rats fed nutritionally complete but calcium-restricted (0.15%) diets in which calcium was derived from spinach, nonfat dry milk (NFDM), or CaCO₃ added to casein. Groups of male weanling rats were pair-fed for 28 d. A 0.5% calcium casein- based diet group fed ad libitum was included to provide a comparison of normal bone structure and composition. Bone growth and bone ash were depressed in spinach-fed rats. Total bone tibia calcium in 0.5% calcium casein-based, 0.15% calcium casein-based, NFDM and spinach diet groups were 64.0, 29.2, 30.7 and 13.8 mg, respectively. All other measured bone mineral levels were also lower, except for potassium. Femur hydroxyproline concentrations were 1.2, 1.6, 1.6 and 2.1% in 0.5% calcium casein-based, 0.15% calcium casein-based, NFDM and spinach diet groups, respectively. Bone histomorphometry indicated gross under-development and compromised mineralization of trabecular bone of spinach-fed rats. For the first time, it has been demonstrated with histologic techniques that calcium from the low bioavailable source, spinach, compromises both the quantity and quality of bone. In contrast, when calcium is fed to growing animals at levels below the National Research Council requirement but from a highly bioavailable source (i.e., NFDM and CaCO₃), there is only a reduction in bone quantity.