The Effects Of Low Dose Zinc Supplementation On The Development Of New Bone In Rabbits

Introduction: Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for the healthy bone metabolism. It promotes bone formation by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, and increases the stimulation of osteoblastic bone mineralisation. Also, it suppresses the differentiation of osteoclasts while inhibiting bone resorption. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of low-dose Zn supplementation on new bones grown in rabbits.Methods: We evaluated 40 male white rabbits aged six weeks from New Zealand in 8 groups, with each including 5 subjects. All the groups underwent subperichondrial costal cartilage resections from the third rib on the right hemithorax. Rabbits in first and second groups underwent the partial resection of two ribs, and rabbits in third and fourth groups underwent total rib resection. Rabbits in fifth and sixth groups underwent the partial resection of four ribs, whereas rabbits in seventh and eighth groups underwent total resection. Rabbits in Groups 2, 4, 6, and 8 were treated with 6 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal Zn for four weeks after the operation. All groups were followed up to the 24th week of their lives.Results: We detected a statistically significant difference for both osteoblasts and osteoclasts among all the subgroups. Additionally, we also detected a significant increase in bone consolidation by Zn supplementation. Our study found that Zn suppresses osteoblastic bone absorption by stimulating osteoblastic bone formation in the light of the literature.Conclusion: Low-dose Zn administration in rabbits has been found to expedite the rib consolidation. Zn can be used to increase the bone maturation such as at the site of new bone formation in rib fracture and after all kinds of operations related to bones.