Effect of Homocysteine on Bone Mineral Density of Rats

The relationship between plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and femur bone mineral density (BMD) was studied in Wistar rats. After 8 weeks of treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ l-methionine the mean plasma levels of Hcy were 7.67 ± 1.25 and 61.2 ± 11.4 μmol/l, respectively. Only rats treated with the higher dose had Hcy levels significantly higher than those of controls, 6.38 ± 0.90 μmol/l (p < 0.001). Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry was used to measure the BMD, which was significantly lower only in the animals with the highest plasma levels of Hcy (p < 0.001). This led us to conclude that increased levels of Hcy are associated with risk of decreased BMD.