2023, Wawrzyniak, Natalia, Gramza-Michałowska, Anna, Kurzawa, Paweł, Kołodziejski, Paweł Antoni, Suliburska, Joanna

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.

2024, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Kuligowski, Maciej Jakub, Cieślak, Adam, Kołodziejski, Paweł Antoni, Suliburska, Joanna

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.

2023, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Suliburska, Joanna

2024, Harahap, Iskandar Azmy, Schmidt, Marcin, Pruszyńska-Oszmałek, Ewa, Sassek, Maciej, Suliburska, Joanna

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.

2025, Arnold, Marcellus, Białas, Wojciech, Kulczyński, Bartosz, Multisona, Ribi Ramadanti, Suliburska, Joanna, Świeca, Michał, Wojdyło, Aneta, Gramza-Michałowska, Anna

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.