Dietary arginine silicate inositol complex increased bone healing: histologic and histomorphometric study

Abstract

Background

Arginine silicate inositol complex (ASI; arginine 49.5%, silicon 8.2%, and inositol 25%) is a novel material that is a bioavailable source of silicon and arginine. ASI offers potential benefits for vascular and bone health.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of ASI complex on bone healing of critical-sized defects in rats.

Methods

The rats were randomly assigned to two groups of 21 rats each. The control group was fed a standard diet for 12 weeks; after the first 8 weeks, a calvarial critical-sized defect was created, and the rats were sacrificed 7, 14, and 28 days later. The ASI group was fed a diet containing 1.81 g/kg of ASI for 12 weeks; after the first 8 weeks, a calvarial critical-sized defect was created, and the rats were sacrificed 7, 14, and 28 days later. The calvarial bones of all the rats were then harvested for evaluation.

Results

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were detected at higher levels in the ASI group compared with the control group at days 7, 14, and 28 of the calvarial defect ( P<0.05). New bone formation was detected at higher levels in the ASI group compared with the controls at day 28 ( P<0.05). However, new bone formation was not detected at days 7 and 14 in both the groups ( P>0.05).

Conclusion

ASI supplementation significantly improved bone tissue healing in rats with critical-sized defects. This study demonstrated that ASI can enhance bone repair and has potential as a therapeutic regimen in humans.