Journal Article

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

Baecker, N, Bernhardt, G, Heer, M, Frings-Meuthen, P, Buehlmeier, J, May, F

2019

Overview

SummaryPotassium 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.IntroductionSupplementation 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.MethodsSeven 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 (KHCO3) daily.ResultsKHCO3supplementation 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, HCO3p = 0.02, ABE p = 0.03). Urinary calcium excretion was decreased during KHCO3 supplementation (control 6.05 ± 2.74 mmol/24 h; KHCO3 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).ConclusionsThe more alkaline acid-base status, achieved by KHCO3 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 registrationTrial number: NCT01509456

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acid-base status / Bicarbonates / Bone growth / Bone loss / Bone resorption / Bone turnover / Calcium (urinary) / Calcium metabolism / Dietary supplements / Excretion / Immobilization / Metabolism / Osteogenesis / pH effects / Potassium / Renal function / Salts / Unloading