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Calcium carbonate-enriched pumpkin affects calcium status in ovariectomized rats
AbstractCalcium carbonate (CaCO3)-enriched pumpkin may serve as a good source of calcium for patients diagnosed with osteoporosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of CaCO3-enriched pumpkin on Ca status in ovariectomized rats. The study included 40 female Wistar rats divided into five groups (n = 8). One group was fed with a standard diet (control group), while the other four groups were ovariectomized and received a standard diet (control ovariectomized group), or a diet containing CaCO3-enriched pumpkin, alendronate, or both. The nutritional intervention lasted 12 weeks, and then the rats were euthanized. Tissue and blood samples were collected and assessed for the levels of total Ca, estradiol, parathyroid hormone, and procollagen type I N propeptide. In addition, a histological analysis was performed on femurs. The results of the study suggest that CaCO3-enriched pumpkin can increase Ca content in femurs and improve bone recovery in ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, enriched pumpkin contributes to Ca accumulation in the kidneys, and this effect is more pronounced in combination with alendronate.
Effect of Tempeh and Daidzein on Calcium Status, Calcium Transporters, and Bone Metabolism Biomarkers in Ovariectomized Rats
Menopause marks a critical life stage characterized by hormonal changes that significantly impact bone health, leading to a heightened susceptibility to bone fractures. This research seeks to elucidate the impact of daidzein and tempeh on calcium status, calcium transporters, and bone metabolism in an ovariectomized rat model. Forty female Wistar rats, aged 3 months, participated in a two-phase experiment. The initial phase involved inducing a calcium deficit, while the second phase comprised dietary interventions across five groups: Sham (S) and Ovariectomy (O) with a standard diet, O with bisphosphonate (OB), O with pure daidzein (OD), and O with tempeh (OT). Multiple parameters, encompassing calcium levels, calcium transporters, bone histopathology, and serum bone metabolism markers, were evaluated. The findings revealed that the OT group showcased heightened levels of bone turnover markers, such as pyridinoline, C-telopeptide of type I collagen, bone alkaline phosphatase, and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide, in contrast to S and O groups, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, both the OD and OT groups exhibited effects akin to the OB group, indicating a decrease in the surface area occupied by adipocytes in the femoral bone structure, although statistically non-equivalent, supporting the directionally similar trends. Although TRPV5 and TRPV6 mRNA expression levels in the jejunum and duodenum did not display statistically significant differences (p > 0.05), the OD and OT groups exhibited increased expression compared to the O group. We hypothesized that obtained results may be related to the effect of isoflavones on estrogen pathways because of their structurally similar to endogenous estrogen and weak estrogenic properties. In conclusion, the daily consumption of pure daidzein and tempeh could potentially improve and reinstate calcium status, calcium transport, and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Additionally, isoflavone products demonstrate effects similar to bisphosphonate drugs on these parameters in ovariectomized rats.
Effect of pumpkin enriched with calcium lactate on iron status in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Abstract The homeostasis of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) is disturbed during menopause. The present study aimed to determine the effects of Ca-enriched pumpkin on Fe status in ovariectomized rats. A total of 48 female Wistar rats were divided into six groups. One group was fed a standard diet (C), while the other five groups were ovariectomized and fed a standard diet (OVX), a calcium lactate diet (CaL_OVX), calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin (PCaL_OVX), calcium lactate and alendronate (CaL_OVX_B), and calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin and alendronate (PCaL_OVX_B), respectively. The nutritional intervention lasted 12 weeks and rats were euthanized. Tissue samples were collected, and the iron content in the samples was assessed. A comparison of all groups showed a reduction in iron concentrations in femurs, liver, hair, spleen, and kidneys in the ovariectomized groups than in the control group. The PCaL_OVX_B group had a significantly higher blood hemoglobin concentration than the control group. Moreover, spleen and liver Fe concentrations were the highest in PCaL_OVX and PCaL_OVX_B rats among the treated groups and were comparable with the control group. These results indicate that ovariectomy decreases Fe status in rats. Calcium lactate-enriched pumpkin with and without alendronate can increase Fe concentration in liver and spleen in ovariectomized rats.
Dietary salicylates affect calcium and magnesium status in preeclampsia model rats induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)
Impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Its Combination with Isoflavone Products on Calcium Status, Calcium Transporters, and Bone Metabolism Biomarkers in a Post-Menopausal Osteoporotic Rat Model
Osteoporosis in menopausal women requires alternatives to current medications, considering their adverse effects. In this context, probiotics and isoflavone products are promising dietary interventions. The objective of our study was to examine the impacts of Lactobacillus acidophilus and its combination with daidzein and tempeh on calcium status, calcium transporters, and bone metabolism biomarkers in a post-menopausal osteoporotic rat model. A total of 48 female Wistar rats were exposed to a two-stage experiment involving calcium deficit induction and subsequent dietary interventions across six groups. Calcium levels, the gene expression of TRPV5 and TRPV6 calcium transporters, bone histopathology, serum bone metabolism markers, and blood biochemistry were evaluated. The results revealed that, while decreasing serum calcium levels, the groups that received the probiotic L. acidophilus and isoflavone combination exhibited increased bone metabolism biomarkers and decreased calcium transporter expressions, akin to the effects of bisphosphonate. Additionally, significant improvements in bone histopathology were observed in these groups. However, the group receiving probiotic L. acidophilus alone did not exhibit significant changes in bone resorption biomarkers, calcium transporter expression, or various blood parameters. Meanwhile, the combination of probiotic L. acidophilus with tempeh positively influenced hematological parameters and reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but it led to elevated blood glucose levels. Correlation analyses highlighted associations between serum calcium levels, calcium transporter expression, and bone metabolism biomarkers. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the daily consumption of probiotic L. acidophilus in combination with isoflavone products may improve bone health in ovariectomized rats, warranting further research to elucidate potential interactions with other nutrients.
Product Development Study of Freeze-Dried Apples Enriched with Sea Buckthorn Juice and Calcium Lactate
Enriched or fortified foods are typically linked to ultra-processed foods, limiting the choice of functional food in the market. Addressing the market potential, particularly the elder population with osteoporosis, the functional food industry should consider developing a healthy snack enriched with bioactive substances. This study aimed to produce freeze-dried Polish Gala apple with improved antioxidant properties and calcium content via impregnation or osmotic dehydration process. The solutions containing various concentrations of sea buckthorn (SB) juice and inulin were prepared at different temperatures and times, then analyzed by response surface regression modelling. Subsequently, the effect of the addition of 0–6% calcium lactate (CaL) on antioxidant properties and calcium content was also studied. Freeze-dried apple, after impregnation with 93.8% SB juice, 0:100 inulin–SB juice ratio, at 30 °C for 120 min, with the addition of 4% CaL (hereafter called “4% CaL” treatment), possessed a minimum yet acceptable loss of antioxidant properties and increased calcium content (2209.13 mg Ca/100 g). UPLC-PDA revealed the altered compositions of phenolics (flavonols were dominated by isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside) and carotenoids in 4% CaL. The 4% CaL also exhibited lower polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities, moderate sensory acceptability with soft texture, and better nutritional values with lower calories when compared to the controls. This work is a scalable study, covering aspects of process design, physicochemical, nutritional, and enzymatic properties, as well as sensory profiling, which has potential for industrial implementation.
Effects of Daidzein, Tempeh, and a Probiotic Digested in an Artificial Gastrointestinal Tract on Calcium Deposition in Human Osteoblast-like Saos-2 Cells
Adequate calcium intake is crucial for the prevention and treatment of bone-related issues. Developing a nutritional source of readily bioavailable calcium is particularly significant for individuals deficient in this essential element and at risk of developing osteoporosis. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of tempeh (T), daidzein (D), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) within a simulated intestinal environment consisting of Caco-2 epithelial and Saos-2 cells, focusing on their implications for bone mineralization mechanisms. In the initial phase, calcium bioaccessibility from calcium citrate (CaCt), LA, D, the daidzein combination D–CaCt–LA (D1:1:1), and the tempeh combination T–CaCt–LA (T1:1:1) was assessed through digestion simulation. The calcium content of both untreated and digested samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the subsequent stage, the digested samples were used to induce intestinal absorption in differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells. The permeable fractions were then evaluated in a culture of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Preliminary cellular experiments employed the MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity. The results indicated that the analyzed products did not influence the deposition of extracellular calcium in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization stimulators. The combined formulations of permeable fractions of digested CaCt, LA, D, and T demonstrated the capacity to enhance the proliferation of Saos-2 cells. In Saos-2 cells, D, D1:1:1, and LA showed no discernible impact on intracellular calcium accumulation, whereas T and T1:1:1 reduced the calcium deposits. Additionally, mRNA transcripts and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels in Saos-2 cells cultured without mineralization induction were unaffected by the analyzed products. An examination of the products revealed no discernible effect on ALP activity or mRNA expression during Saos-2 cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that tempeh, daidzein, and L. acidophilus did not positively impact cellular calcium deposition in Saos-2 cells. However, tempeh, daidzein and its combination, and L. acidophilus might enhance the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells. Nevertheless, this study did not identify any synergistic impact on calcium deposition and the process of osteogenic differentiation in Saos-2 cells of isoflavones and probiotics.