• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.931-936
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Codium Fragile(CF) extract on the collagen content and collagen cross-link content of the connective tissues, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium levels of serum in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized. The fourth group was sham operated. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups : sham-oper-ated rats(Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats supplemented with CF at 50 mg/kg body wt and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively The CF were orally administrated at 1mLa day. The ovariectomy caused a decreasing in collagen content in bone, cartilage, skin and lung tissues. However CF groups, supplementation with Codium Fragile extract, increased in collagen contentin bone and cartilage tissues than OVX-CON group. Fyridinoline content in cartilage collagen was de-creased by ovariectomy but supplementation with the CF extracts was similarly increased to Sham. Alkaline phosphatase activity on serum of CF groups decreased than OVX-CON group. These results suggest that CF supplementation prevents post-menopausal bone loss, thus it may be used possibly to improve the quality of life in menopausal women.