The Effect of the Complex-Forming Amorphous Sodium Phosphates on the Calcium Retention of Rats

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Abstract
The hypothesis originally offered to explain the prevention of rickets in rats on a standard rickets-producing diet when the acid salts of citric and tartaric acids are added, was that an acid-base factor was involved (Hamilton and Schwartz, '33; Shohl, '37). These salts produce an acid medium when in the gastrointestinal tract, thus increasing the solubility of the calcium and hence its absorption. The alkaline ash resulting from the metabolism of these salts provides an environment favorable for bone formation. Shohl ('37), in addition to considering the acid-base factor, suggested the possibility that complex formation might also be involved. In the present investigation, designed to evaluate the effect of complex formation on calcium retention, the factors of relative acidity and alkalinity were not apparently involved, since the complex-former used and its control material would appear to be neutral in character both in the gastrointestinal tract and upon metabolism in the body. The enhanced calcium retention produced by Am.P. can therefore result insofar as is known only from its complex-forming properties. This bears out the hypothesis of previous investigators that complex formation may be an important factor in calcium metabolism. Summaries are given of data on the Ca and P retentions of 18 rats maintained on the Steenbock-Black diet, and on the relationship between the Ca and P retentions.