Nano-Calcium Ameliorates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Female Rats

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of organic types of calcium derived from oyster shell (OS-Ca) and nano-calcium (Nano-Ca) on the bio-availability and physiological responses associated with bone health in ovariectomised rats. Increased body weight, which is one of the physiological effects of ovary removal, was significantly recovered by Nano-Ca treatment (p<0.05). The reduced calcium level in the liver in ovariectomised rat was increased significantly with OS-Ca and Nano-Ca treatment (p<0.05), suggesting improved calcium bio-availability. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were analysed as biochemical markers of bone metabolism and health in the presence or absence of OS-Ca and Nano-Ca. ALP, osteocalcin, and DPD levels increased following ovary removal and tended to decrease after treatment with Nano-Ca, indicating that Nano-Ca induces favourable bone metabolism. This result was reflected in the recovery of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of the femur after Nano-Ca treatment following ovary removal. Taken together, our data show that the tested calcium treatments, especially using Nano-Ca, enhanced the bio-availability or absorption of calcium and positively affected bone metabolism in ovariectomised rats.