Abstract

To investigate the effects of dietary calcium levels on the Ca metabolism in a rat model of ovariectomized osteoporosis, two studies were conducted. In Expt. I, five week-old femalc rats ovariectomized and fed a low Ca diet(0.06% Ca) for four weeks were compared with rats fed a normal (0.53% Ca) or low Ca diet under the sham-operated condition. Ovariectomized rats showed a significant increase in body weight and food intake. In rats fed the low Ca diet, a remarkable decrease was shown regardless of ovariectomy in serum Ca concentration, breaking force of bones, Ca and phopsphrus contents of bones, and apparent absorption and retention of Ca. Furthermore hte decrease of Ca contents of serum and bones in rats ovariectomized and fed the low Ca diet was similar to that in rats model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In Expt. II, rats ovariectomized and fed on the low Ca diet for four weeks were divided into three groups, those given low Ca diet, normal Ca diet and high Ca diet(1.06%) respectively. The results indicated that supplementations of Ca at the intake level of 0.53% and 1.06% for 4 weeks tend to improve the relative Ca deficiency shown in experimental rat model of ovariectomized osteoporosis.

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