Disorders of bone metabolism caused by small bowel resection in rats.

Disorders of bone metabolism caused by resection of three quarters of the small bowel in rats were investigated biochemically and histomorphologically. Metabolic bone disorders developing 90 days after in 75%-distal-small-bowel resected rats were characterized by reduction in ash content of the femur and by the disappearance of the trabecular bone in tibial metaphysis. Biochemical studies showed significant decrease in serum Ca and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in 75% distal small bowel resected rats. These data suggest that 75% distal small bowel resection impairs intestinal absorption of calcium and results in a negative calcium balance, which may contribute to the development of bone metabolic disorder in rats. On the other hand, 75% proximal small bowel resection causes no obvious metabolic bone disorders in rats, possibly because of the adaptation by the remaining part of the intestine.