Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rats are considered a suitable model for studying the effects of dietary and other environmental factors on human essential hypertension and haemorrhagic stroke. To investigate the suitability of a control diet for this strain of rats, we studied the effects of supplementing casein and soya protein isolate (SPI) with two sulphur amino acids (methionine and cystine) on the growth and lifespan of SHRSP rats. The source of dietary protein and the type of supplemental sulphur amino acid had significant (P<0·05) effects on food intake and weight gain measured after 31d of the feeding study, while only the type of supplemental sulphur amino acid had significant effects on mean survival times and the survival rates. On average, the casein groups had higher food intake and weight gain compared with the SPI groups. The methionine-supplemented groups had lower food intake but higher weight gain than the cystine-supplemented groups. Similarly, the methionine-supplemented groups had higher mean survival times and survival rates compared with the cystine-supplemented groups. The data would suggest that a control diet based on cystine-supplemented casein (as recommended for normal healthy rats by the American Institute of Nutrition), may not meet the sulphur amino acid requirements for SHRSP rats, and that the methionine-supplemented casein would be an appropriate control diet for this animal model.

Despite the good growth performance of several fish species when dietary fish oil is partly replaced by vegetable oils, recent studies have reported several types of intestinal morphological alterations in cultured fish fed high contents of vegetable lipid sources. However, the physiological process implied in these morphological changes have not been clarified yet, since alterations in the physiological mechanisms involved in the different processes of lipid absorption could be responsible for such gut morphological features. The objective of the present study was to investigate the activities of reacylation pathways in fish, the glycerol-3-phosphate and the monoacylglycerol pathways, in order to clarify the intestinal triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid biosynthesis to better understand the morphological alterations observed in the intestine of fish fed vegetable oils. Intestinal microsomes of sea bream fed different lipid sources (fish, soyabean and rapeseed oils) at three different inclusion levels were isolated and incubated with l-[14C(U)]glycerol-3-phosphate and [1-14C]palmitoyl CoA. The results showed that in this fish species the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway is mainly involved in phospholipid synthesis, whereas TAG synthesis is mainly mediated by the monoacylglycerol pathway. Feeding with rapeseed oil reduced the reacylation activity in both pathways, explaining the high accumulation of lipid droplets in the supranuclear portion of the intestinal epithelium, whereas soyabean oil enhanced phosphatidylcholine synthesis, being associated with the increase in VLDL found in previous studies.

Research on cancer and other conditions has shown flavonoids and sphingolipids to be food components capable of exerting chemoprotective action. Nevertheless, little is known about their effects on healthy individuals and their potential usefulness as therapeutic agents. The present study examined the possible action of a dietary flavonoid, quercetin, and a sphingolipid, sphingomyelin, as functional foods in healthy animals. In particular, the effect on animal growth of supplementing a conventional diet with one or other of these substances (0·5% quercetin and 0·05% sphingomyelin) was considered. Possible action affecting intestinal physiology was also analysed by measuring the uptake of sugar and dipeptide, mediated by the Na+-dependent sugar transporter SGLT1 and the dipeptide Na+/H+ exchanger PEPT1 respectively, and the activity of related intestinal enzymes such as sucrase, maltase and aminopeptidase N. Both substances seemed to modify small intestinal activity in healthy mice, altering intestinal enzymatic activity and nutrient uptake. These effects observed in the small intestine did not impair normal development of the animals, as no differences in serum biochemical parameters or in organ and body weights were found. The findings should help in elucidating the mechanisms of action of these food components with a view to their possible use in the prevention of certain pathological conditions.

This study evaluated the effect of a fat blend containing long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in gonad-intact middle-aged male rats (12 months old, n 28). Seven rats were killed on day 0 of dietary intervention to determine the baseline BMD. The remaining rats (seven per group) were fed a diet with one of the following dietary lipid treatments (g/kg diet): 167g safflower oil+33g menhaden oil (N6+N3 diet, control), 200g safflower oil (N6 diet, almost devoid of LC n-3 PUFA), or 190g menhaden oil+10g corn oil (N3 diet, rich in LC n-3 PUFA) for 20 weeks. After 20 weeks, all dietary treatment groups had a lower BMD compared with the baseline reference. However, rats fed the N3 diet had the highest bone mineral content and cortical+subcortical BMD compared with those fed the N6 and control N6+N3 diet. Compared with the control (N6+N3) group, rats fed the N3 diet had higher values for serum insulin-like growth factor-I, parathyroid hormone, 1, 25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity, but lower bone NO production and urinary Ca, whereas rats fed the N6 diet had higher bone prostaglandin E2 production and serum pyridinoline. These findings indicate a protective action of LC n-3 PUFA on ageing-induced bone loss in gonad-intact middle-aged male rats through a modulation of local factors and systemic calcitrophic hormones.

Three groups of five rumen and duodenum cannulated fauna-free sheep were used in a 28d experiment. One group remained fauna-free, whereas the second (EN) and third (PP) groups, respectively, were inoculated intraruminally with the protozoan species Entodinium caudatum and Polyplastron multivesiculatum. Rumen fluid, duodenal digesta and faecal samples were collected during the last 12d. The flow of digesta to the duodenum was determined using Yb and Co as dual-phase markers. 15Nitrogen and phosphatidylcholine were used as markers to calculate the duodenal flow of bacterial and protozoal N, respectively. Results showed an increase (P<0·1) in the rumen concentration of NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids, and a decrease (P<0·05) in the duodenal flow of non-NH3-N and bacterial N in sheep with EN and PP monofaunas, compared with fauna-free sheep. There were no differences (P>0·05) in these variables between the two monofauna groups. Protozoal N accounted for 8% of the duodenal non-NH3-N flow in the EN-monofaunated sheep, whereas no such flow was detected in the PP-monofaunated sheep. Apparent rumen digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were similar (P>0·05) in the monofaunated groups of sheep, but rumen acid detergent fibre digestibility was higher (P<0·05) in the monofaunated than in the fauna-free groups. Experimental results suggested that, unlike EN, the PP monofauna might not contribute to the duodenal flow of microbial protein, whereas both monofaunas showed a virtually equal degree of predation on rumen bacteria.

The biological function of the stereoisomers of α-tocopherol is believed to depend on their bioavailability. Assessment of bioavailability within the body is therefore considered to be a good and easy way to predict biological value. The separation of α-tocopherol methyl ethers by chiral column HPLC is a good and easy tool with which to study the distribution of α-tocopherol stereoisomers. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the bioavailability and distribution of the stereoisomers of α-tocopherol in the plasma and tissue in growing rats fed 25, 50, 100 or 200mg/kg diet of either RRR- or all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate for 10d. The ratio between the two vitamin E sources based on their α-tocopherol concentration in plasma and tissues varied in the plasma between 1·04 and 1·74 and in tissues, ratios of 0·84–1·24 for liver, 0·34–1·59 for lung and 0·75–1·50 for spleen were obtained. An increasing dietary level of all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate decreased the proportion of RRR-α-tocopherol, whereas the other stereoisomers were not affected. RRS-α-Tocopherol was present in the highest proportion, followed by RSR-, RSS- and RRR-α-tocopherol. In contrast to the other tissues and plasma, the liver contained the highest proportion (29–33%) of the four 2S stereoisomers of total α-tocopherol. Rats fed RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate for 10d showed a significant increase in the plasma and tissue content of RRR-α-tocopherol and a simultaneous decrease in the other three 2R isomers, whereas the absolute content of the 2S isomers was unaffected. In adipose tissue, concentrations of the three synthetic 2R isomers remained constant, whereas there was a steep increase in the content of RRR-α-tocopherol.

High-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) promotes gastrointestinal disorders, tissue alterations and bacterial overgrowth in pigs. The impact of CMC on intestinal absorptive and secretory physiology is not known. We hypothesised that CMC consumption alters intestinal Na-dependent glucose absorption and stimulates electrogenic chloride secretion. For testing this hypothesis, twenty-four piglets were weaned at 21d of age and pair-fed for 13d a starter diet based on skimmed milk powder and maltodextrin containing cellulose (control) or CMC. Body weight and faecal total aerobe and coliform counts were measured kinetically. At slaughter, digesta were weighed and characterised for viscosity and pH. Gastrointestinal tissues were weighed and sampled for physiology in Ussing chambers, morphometry and enzymology. Glucose absorption tended to be higher (P=0·08) and carbachol-stimulated chloride secretion was lower (P=0·01) with CMC in the small intestine, without changes in the colon. Aerobes were transiently higher at day 7 (P<0·05) but coliform counts remained unchanged (P=0·78) and β-haemolitic Escherichia coli were virtually absent. Stomach and small-intestinal segments were heavier, and viscosity higher with CMC (0·001<P<0·05). The pH in the stomach was higher, and in the caecum and proximal colon lower with CMC (0·001<P<0·05). Jejunal villus area was slightly reduced with CMC (P<0·05) without effects on enzyme activities (P>0·10). In conclusion, CMC supplementation had pro-absorptive effects on the small intestine, possibly due to the absence of pathogenic E. coli in the present study.

An increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) has been suggested as a way to limit, or even lower, energy and fat intakes. The present study examined the effects of incorporating F&V supplements into the diets of adults who reported consuming <240g (three portions) of F&V per d on energy and fat intakes, and change in body weight, over 8 weeks using a randomised parallel design. Thirty-four males and twenty-eight females (age 42·6 (sd 11·1) years, BMI 23·7 (sd 2·7) kg/m2) were each provided with supplements of 0, 300 or 600g F&V per d. Food, nutrient and energy intakes were measured before, during and at the end of the supplementation period using 7 d weighed records. Mean daily energy intakes were not different among the three groups before (P=0·151) or during the supplementation periods (P=0·407), although changes in energy intakes over the study period tended to be more positive with increasing amounts of F&V supplements (P=0·078). There was no difference in changes of body weights during the study (P=0·242). Carbohydrate (P<0·001), sugar (P<0·001), fibre (P<0·001) and weight of food consumed (P=0·022) increased in the treatment groups. There were no significant differences, or changes, in fat intakes among the three groups. Consumption of mandatory F&V supplements for 8 weeks produced beneficial changes in diet composition, but did not result in lower reported energy or fat intakes, and did not result in loss of body weight.

Twins can be used to investigate the biological basis for observed associations between birth weight and later disease risk, as they experience in utero growth restriction compared with singletons, which can differ in magnitude within twin pairs despite partial or total genetic identity. In the present study, sixty monozygotic and seventy-one dizygotic same-sex twin pairs aged 19–50 years and eighty-nine singleton controls matched for age, gestational age, sex, maternal age and parity were recruited from an obstetric database. Associations between fasting lipid levels and birth weight were assessed by linear regression with adjustment for possible confounding factors. Twins were significantly lighter at birth but were not significantly different in adult height, weight or lipid levels from the singleton controls. There was a significant inverse association between birth weight and both total and LDL-cholesterol levels among singleton controls (−0·53mmol/l per kg (95% CI −0·97, −0·09), P=0·02 and −0·39mmol/l per kg (95% CI −0·76, −0·02), P=0·04, respectively), but there was no significant association between birth weight and lipid levels in either unpaired or within-pair analysis of twins. The results suggest that the in utero growth restriction and early catch-up growth experienced by twins does not increase the risk of an atherogenic lipid profile in adult life.

Folic acid deficiency is implicated in the aetiology of nutritional anaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes for the fetus. Data on folic acid status among adolescent girls and non-pregnant, non-lactating young women are limited. We assessed folic acid status in a random sample of 552 subjects (277 adolescent girls aged 15–18·9 years and 275 women aged 19–30 years) living in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The association of low folic acid status with anaemia was evaluated. Socio-economic, food intake and anthropometric data were obtained. Hb, serum folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin and plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured. Forty-three per cent of subjects studied had low serum folic acid concentrations (<3ng/ml) and 47/ had low Fe stores (serum ferritin <20μg/l). Overall prevalence of anaemia was 12·9%, and 43·9% of anaemic subjects had both low folic acid status and depleted Fe stores (serum ferritin <12μg/l). Both low folate status and depleted Fe stores were significantly associated with anaemia (odds ratio=2·32; 95% CI 1·34, 4·01 and odds ratio=5·98; 95% CI 3·36, 10·63, respectively). Serum folic acid concentration was associated (r=0·108, P=0·015) with folate intake as indicated by a computed folate index. Folate index was associated inversely with household size and positively with economic status and education level. In this study population low folic acid status, besides depleted Fe stores, was associated with anaemia. The high prevalence of low folic acid status observed highlights the need for nutrition education to improve intakes of folate, Fe and other micronutrients among adolescent girls and young women.

Maternal adipose tissue is a major contributor to breast milk long-chain fatty acids, probably through the pool of plasma NEFA. The fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane (EM) is a biochemical index of the intake of fatty acids not synthesized endogenously and of PUFA and long-chain PUFA fatty acid status. The present study investigated the associations between breast milk fatty acid composition and the composition of plasma NEFA and of EM fatty acids with special reference to PUFA, long-chain PUFA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The detailed fatty acid composition of mature breast milk was also reported. Thirty-three healthy, lactating Brazilian women donated milk samples; of these, twenty-four also donated blood samples in an observational cross-sectional study. Breast milk fatty acid composition presented several associations with NEFA and EM composition, which explained most (≥50%) of the variability of selected milk PUFA, long-chain PUFA and CLA. Milk CLA was associated with fatty acids that are markers of dairy fat intake in the diet, NEFA and EM. In general, breast milk n-3 fatty acids and CLA, but not n-6 fatty acids, were associated with EM composition, whereas both the n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and CLA in milk were associated with NEFA composition, possibly owing to its role as a direct source of fatty acids for breast milk. These findings emphasize the contribution of the NEFA pool derived from the adipose tissue to the long-chain fatty acid composition of breast milk.

The intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA, including DHA (22:6n-3), is associated with a reduced risk of CVD. Schizochytrium sp. are an important primary source of DHA in the marine food chain but they also provide substantial quantities of the n-6 PUFA docosapentaenoic acid n-6; DPA). The effect of this oil on cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated using a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled parallel-design trial in thirty-nine men and forty women. Subjects received 4g oil/d for 4 weeks; the active treatment provided 1·5g DHA and 0·6g DPA. Active treatment increased plasma concentrations of arachidonic acid, adrenic acid, DPA and DHA by 21, 11, 11 and 88mg/l respectively and the proportions of DPA and DHA in erythrocyte phospholipids by 78 and 27% respectively. Serum total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol increased by 0·33mmol/l (7·3%), 0·26mmol/l (10·4%) and 0·14mmol/l (9·0%) compared with placebo (all p≤0·001). Factor VII (FVII) coagulant activity increased by 12% following active treatment (P=0·006). There were no significant differences between treatments in LDL size, blood pressure, plasma glucose, serum C-reactive protein, plasma FVII antigen, FVII activated, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, tocopherol or carotenoid concentrations, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, creatine kinase or troponin-I activities, haematology or liver function tests or self-reported adverse effects. Overall, the oil was well tolerated and did not adversely affect cardiovascular risk.

Food fortification is an important long-term strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Finding the ideal Fe fortification compound, however, remains a challenge. In the present study the effect of ferrous bisglycinate as fortificant in brown bread was compared with that of electrolytic Fe among Fe-deficient school children in a randomised controlled trial. Children (n 160), aged 6–11 years, with serum ferritin <20μg/l, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment categories: (i) standard unfortified bread; (ii) bread with electrolytic Fe as fortificant; and (iii) bread with ferrous bisglycinate as fortificant. Each child received four slices of bread (120g) on school days, which supplied an average of 3·66mg elemental Fe per intervention day for 137d (2·52mg/d for 75d and 5·04mg/d for 62d) over a period of 7·5 months. Hb, serum ferritin, serum Fe and transferrin saturation were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Significant treatment effects were observed for Hb (P=0·013), serum Fe (P=0·041) and transferrin saturation (P=0·042) in the ferrous bisglycinate group, but not in the electrolytic Fe group. There were no significant intervention effects for serum ferritin in either treatment group. Overall, ferrous bisglycinate as Fe fortificant in brown bread performed better than electrolytic Fe in a group of Fe-deficient school children over a period of 7·5 months.

Although dairy products have been found to be associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer, studies investigating the potential effect of Ca are limited, and findings are inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to test the relationship between the risk of prostate cancer and consumption of dairy products and Ca. The analysis included 2776 men from the French SU.VI.MAX (Supplementation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants) prospective study, among whom sixty-nine developed prostate cancer during the follow-up period (median: 7·7 years). Food consumption was assessed at inclusion from repeated 24h records and nutrient intake was calculated using a food composition table. A higher risk of prostate cancer was observed among subjects with higher dairy product (relative risk (RR; 95% CI), 4th quartile V. 1st: 1·35 (1·02, 1·78), P=0·04) and Ca intake (RR (95% CI), 4th quartile P. 1st: 2·43 (1·05, 5·62), P=0·04). Nevertheless, we identified a harmful effect of yoghurt consumption upon the risk of prostate cancer (RR (95% CI), increment 125g/d: 1·61 (1·07, 2·43), P=0·02) independently of the Ca content. Our data support the hypothesis that dairy products have a harmful effect with respect to the risk of prostate cancer, largely related to Ca content. The higher risk of prostate cancer with linear increasing yoghurt consumption seems to be independent of Ca and may be related to some other component.

The objectives of the present study are to describe the dietary sources of total fat and of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and to formulate food-based dietary guidelines for SFA in Belgian adolescents. A random sample of 13–18-year-old adolescents was drawn from secondary schools in the region of Ghent. A 7d estimated food record method was used to quantify nutrient and food intake. The average daily SFA intake is 4% above the recommended 10% of the total energy contribution. The most important contributors of SFA on food group level were ‘fats, oils and savoury sauces’, ‘meat and meat products’, ‘sugar, confectionery, sweet fillings and sauces’, ‘cheese’, ‘milk and milk products’ and ‘bread, rusk and breakfast rolls’. On food subgroup level ‘fresh meat’, ‘high-fat margarine’ and ‘high-fat cheese’ had the highest contribution to SFA intake in all adolescents. Adolescents with a low SFA intake (lowest tertile) were compared with adolescents with a high intake (highest tertile). In the lowest tertile the intake of total fat and MUFA was significantly lower than in the highest tertile, while the intake of total carbohydrates, mono- and disaccharides and complex carbohydrates was significantly higher. Overall, the high-fat cheese intake is significantly lower in the lowest tertile, while the fruit intake is higher. The present analysis shows that the nutritional profile of Belgian adolescents could be potentially improved by decreasing the portion sizes of fresh meat (in boys), high-fat margarine, high-fat cheese and reducing intake of commercially prepared baked goods and processed foods, including fast foods.

The study objective was to estimate food and nutrient availability in Bolivian households using data from the nationally representative under the Programme for the household surveys undertaken yearly from 1999 to 2002 Improvement of Surveys and the Measurement of Living Conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean (MECOVI). In the present study, we analysed data from four repeated, cross-sectional surveys and applied European Data Food Networking (DAFNE) methodology for post-harmonising the data. Raw data of 19 483 households in Bolivia (3035 in 1999, 4857 in 2000, 5845 in 2001 and 5746 in 2002) were retrieved from the databases of the national household surveys. Results showed that the Bolivian diet is characterised by higher availability of foods of plant origin (cereals, fruits, potatoes and vegetables). Meat, milk and their products follow in the dietary preferences of Bolivians. Disparities in food availability within the country were also observed. Rural households systematically recorded lower amounts of food available, in comparison with the urban ones. Households of higher social status recorded higher availability values for all food groups, except for potatoes and cereals. Findings suggest that Bolivian households of lower socio-economic status prefer energy-dense and cheaper food sources. We concluded the dietary and socio-demographic data collected in the MECOVI household surveys could serve nutrition surveillance purposes. In addition, the application of DAFNE methodology for post-harmonising the data allows both national and international comparisons.

The current study is a 4-year follow-up after the 6-year-long health and nutrition intervention programme applied in the primary schools of Crete. The aim of the current work was to identify whether the benefits obtained in certain health indices at the end of the intervention period were also present 4 years later. From a representative population of 441 pupils (250 from the intervention schools and 191 from the control schools), biochemical, dietary and physical activity data were obtained at baseline, at the end of the intervention period and after intervention (academic years 1992–1993, 1997–1998 and 2001–2002, respectively). The findings of the current study revealed that the favourable changes in serum lipids observed at the end of the intervention period were maintained from baseline to after intervention for total cholesterol (−24·3 (SE 1·65) V. −9·70 (SE 2·03) mg/dl; P=0·001), LDL-cholesterol (−18·6 (SE 1·41) V. −2·49 (SE 1·75) mg/dl; P<0·001), HDL-cholesterol (−8·34 (SE 0·75) V. −9·60 (SE 1·10) mg/dl; P=0·014) and total cholesterol:HDL-cholestrol ratio (0·31 (SE 0·06) V. 0·04 (SE 0·05); P=0·001). Similar favourable changes for the intervention group were observed in leisure-time physical activities (38·3 (SE 11·7) V. −13·2 (SE 10·9) min/week; P=0·038) and BMI (6·05 (SE 0·18) V. 6·67 (SE 0·21) kg/m2; P=0·014), whereas no changes were observed in the fitness and dietary indices examined. The findings of the current study are encouraging, indicating maintenance of the favourable changes observed in serum lipids, BMI and physical activity 4 years after the programme had ended

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease characterised by glucose overproduction and under-utilisation. As the incidence of diabetes expands rapidly across the globe there is an urgent need to expand the range of effective treatments. Higher plants such as Asparagus adscendens provide therapeutic opportunities and a rich source of potential antidiabetic agents. In the present study an aqueous extract of Asparagus adscendens was shown to induce a significant non-toxic 19–248% increase in glucose-dependent insulinotropic actions (P<0·001) in the clonal pancreatic β cell line, BRIN-BD11. In addition, the extract produced an 81% (P<0·0001) increase in glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Asparagus adscendens also produced a 21% (P<0·001) decrease in starch digestion in vitro. The present study has revealed the presence of insulinotropic, insulin-enhancing activity and inhibitory effects on starch digestion in Asparagus adscendens. The former actions are dependent on the active principle(s) in the plant being absorbed intact. Future work assessing its use as a dietary adjunct or as a source of active components may provide new opportunities for the treatment of diabetes

The reversibility of osteopenia secondary to isolated Ca deficiency (CaDef) is still not clear. We studied the effect of severe CaDef on Ca homeostasis and bone accrual in a ‘hypercalcaemic’ animal, the rabbit, during the post-weaning period and its reversibility on Ca supplementation. Male Belgian 5-week-old rabbit pups were fed CaDef diet (0·026% Ca) for 10 weeks. As compared with those fed with a normal chow diet (0·45% Ca), CaDef pups developed significant hypocalcaemia (P<0·05), hypocalciuria (urinary Ca 76 (sem 12) V 17 (sem 1) mg/l;P<0·005), hypophosphataemia (serum inorganic P 100 (sem 6) V. 65 (sem 4) mg/l; P<0·005), secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) (serum intact parathyroid hormone human equivalent 18·2 (sem 1·4) V. 125·0 (sem 4·5) pg/ml; P<0·001) and elevated serum calcitriol levels (34·0 (sem 3·9) V. 91·0 (sem 1·0) pg/ml; v<0·005). Elevated urinary C-terminal telopeptide of class I collagen (P<0·005) and total serum alkaline phosphatase (P<0·005) suggested increased bone turnover. There was a significantly lower gain in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in the whole body and lumbar spine in vivo, and various sub-regions of the femur and tibia in vitro.Supplementation of adequate Ca (0·45% Ca) after 15 weeks on the normal diet resulted in rapid catch-up growth, and resolution of SHPT. Rapid gain in various BMD and BMC parameters continued at 30 weeks of age, and both were comparable with those in rabbits on a normal diet. We conclude that Ca deficiency-induced SHPT and poor bone accrual in growing rabbit pups are rapidly reversible with Ca supplementation. The present study indicates that early intervention may be a more appropriate window period for human nutritional corrective measures.