Different Effects of Soy and Whey on Linear Bone Growth and Growth Pattern in Young Male Sprague-dawley Rats
2Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
3Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology and Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center
Aim:
The most effective environmental factor that affect longitudinal growth is nutrition. The aim of this study was to check if the identity of specific dietary proteins affects the efficiency of linear growth.
Methods:
Different Effects of Soy and Whey on Linear Bone Growth and Growth Pattern in Young Male Sprague-Dawley Rats Young male Sprague Dawley rats fed ad libitum with either Whey (animal source) or Soy (vegetarian) based diets, matched for calories, macro- and micro-nutrients were followed for 11, 24 or 74 days. At sacrifice, humeri length and growth plate (GP) height and organization were measured.
Results:
In short-term experiments, the soy fed group consumed more food, and were heavier with longer humeri, greater Diafhyseal Diameter and better moment of inertia mesuraments while the EGP height was greater in the whey group. Interestingly, the effect on weight and humeri length after 74 days was diminished; however, the EGP height of the whey fed group was still greater, better organized and showed better bone composition as higher cortical thickness and greater mineral density
Conclusions:
The higher and better organized EGP in the whey group suggests a better growth potential with whey-based diets compared to the soy based diet, although in both cases the protein contains all amino acids required.
Studying the interaction between skeletal growth and nutritional factors may lead to the establishment of better nutritional and therapeutic regimens for more effective linear growth in children with malnutrition and growth abnormalities.