The negative effect of unloading exceeds the bone-sparing effect of alkaline supplementation: a bed rest study

• Published in: Osteoporosis international Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 431 - 439
• Main Authors: Frings-Meuthen, P., Bernhardt, G., Buehlmeier, J., Baecker, N., May, F., Heer, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.02.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acid-base status; Adult; Bed Rest - adverse effects; Bicarbonates; Bicarbonates - pharmacology; Bicarbonates - therapeutic use; Biomarkers - metabolism; Bone growth; Bone loss; Bone resorption; Bone Resorption - etiology; Bone Resorption - metabolism; Bone Resorption - prevention & control; Bone turnover; Calcium (urinary); Calcium - urine; Calcium metabolism; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Endocrinology; Excretion; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration - drug effects; Immobilization; Immobilization - adverse effects; Immobilization - physiology; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolism; Original Article; Orthopedics; Osteogenesis; Osteogenesis - drug effects; pH effects; Potassium; Potassium Compounds - pharmacology; Potassium Compounds - therapeutic use; Renal function; Rheumatology; Salts; Unloading; Weight-Bearing - physiology; Young Adult; Calcium excretion; Potassium bicarbonate; Bed rest; Bone metabolism
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s00198-018-4703-6

Summary Potassium bicarbonate was administrated to an already alkaline diet in seven male subjects during a 21-day bed rest study and was able to decrease bed rest induced increased calcium excretion but failed to prevent bed rest-induced bone resorption. Introduction Supplementation with alkali salts appears to positively influence calcium and bone metabolism and, thus, could be a countermeasure for population groups with an increased risk for bone loss. However, the extent to which alkalization counteracts acid-induced bone resorption or whether it merely has a calcium and bone maintenance effect is still not completely understood. In the present study, we hypothesized that additional alkalization to an already alkaline diet can further counteract bed rest-induced bone loss. Methods Seven healthy male subjects completed two parts of a crossover designed 21-day bed rest study: bed rest only (control) and bed rest supplemented with 90 mmol potassium bicarbonate (KHCO 3 ) daily. Results KHCO 3 supplementation during bed rest resulted in a more alkaline status compared to the control intervention, demonstrated by the increase in pH and buffer capacity level (pH p  = 0.023, HCO 3 p  = 0.02, ABE p  = 0.03). Urinary calcium excretion was decreased during KHCO 3 supplementation (control 6.05 ± 2.74 mmol/24 h; KHCO 3 4.87 ± 2.21 mmol/24 h, p  = 0.03); whereas, bone formation was not affected by additional alkalization (bAP p  = 0.58; PINP p  = 0.60). Bone resorption marker UCTX tended to be lower during alkaline supplementation (UCTX p  = 0.16). Conclusions The more alkaline acid-base status, achieved by KHCO 3 supplementation, reduced renal calcium excretion during bed rest, but was not able to prevent immobilization-induced bone resorption. However, advantages of alkaline salts on bone metabolism may occur under acidic metabolic conditions or with respect to the positive effect of reduced calcium excretion within a longer time frame. Trial registration Trial number: NCT01509456