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 Sprague-Dawley 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.