Effects of dietary calcium to available phosphorus ratios on bone metabolism and osteoclast activity of the OPG /RANK/RANKL signalling pathway in piglets.

Hydroxyapatite, a mineral form of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) that gives bones their rigidity, is the major and essential component of bones and teeth in the human and animal body. A suitable ratio of Ca and P is vital for bone growth. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of dietary calcium to available phosphorus ratios (Ca/AP) on bone metabolism and osteoclast activity of the osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) signalling pathway in piglets. At days 15 and 29, the piglets were assessed for growth performance, blood indicators, cytokines and the OPG/RANK/RANKL signalling pathway. Our results showed that piglets fed a dietary Ca/AP ratio of 2:1 increases growth performance and regulates blood indicators and cytokines (parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), vitamin D3 (VD3 ), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) content). We also demonstrated that this ratio affects hormone secretion and further bone metabolism through the OPG/RANK/RANKL signalling pathway of osteoclasts. These results indicate that a suitable dietary Ca/AP ratio is vital for bone growth and reduce the incidence of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, providing a practical basis for the raising of piglets.