Effects of nanocalcium supplemented milk on bone calcium metabolism in ovariectomized rats

This study examined effects of calcium supplemented milk on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Twenty four SpragueDawley female rats, 7 weeks-old, were divided into 4 groups, ovariectomized and fed diets containing: 1) control, no Ca supplemented milk, 2) ovx 1, Ca carbonate supplemented milk, 3) ovx 2, ionized Ca supplemented milk, and 4) ovx 3, nano Ca supplemented milk. All rats were fed 1 ml of milk containing 20 mg supplemented Ca. After 18 wk feeding, body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly different between ovx 1 and ovx 3. Serum concentration of calcium and phosphorus were not different among groups. However, there was a significant difference in calcium content of dry femoral weight in ovx 3 compared with the control and ovx 2. In addition, femoral bone mineral density (g/cm(2)) was significantly greater in ovx 3 than in other groups (p < 0.05). The ovx 3 group showed the highest stiffness (N/mm), maximum energy (N) in femur and trabecular bone area (%). The present study indicated that nano Ca supplementation in milk may be an effective way to enhance bone calcium metabolism for ovariectomized rats.