Effects of Organic Ca Supplements on Ca Bioavailability and Physiological Functions in Ovariectomized Osteoporotic Model Rats

We evaluated the effects of organic Ca supplements chelated with milk protein (CaMP) in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. Eight week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were ovariectomized and fed a low diet (0.1%) for 4 weeks to create an osteoporotic model. At that point, L4- rats were sacrificed and the rest of the rats were divided into 4 groups, each of which was fed an experimental diet for 4 weeks: low- (0.1%; L8-) and CaMP at 3 Ca levels: low (0.1%; L8-CaMP), normal (0.5%; N8-CaMP), and high (1.5%; H8-CaMP). Daily weight gain, serum ALP, weight and breaking force of femurs, Ca content of the lumbar, and Ca absorption were measured. Daily weight gain increased in the N8-CaMP and H8-CaMP groups compared to the low Ca groups. The ALP activity in the CaMP-fed rats was significantly lower than in the -fed rats. Both breaking force and femur weight were higher in the N8-CaMP and H8-CaMP groups compared to the L8- group. Ca content of the lumbar increased dose-dependently with Ca intake levels of CaMP. Ca absorption rates of the CaMP-fed rats increased more than that of the rats fed low Ca levels of . These results demonstrate that the CaMP supplement had positive effects on bone metabolism and Ca bioavailability in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. Therefore, CaMP may be recommended as a useful Ca supplement to prevent bone loss in osteoporosis.