Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
Evaluation of calcium supplementation with algae (Lithothamnion muelleri) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in
Zélia Menezes-Garcia1, Andrezza Fernanda Santiago, Ana Maria Caetano Faria
1Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , MG , Brasil .
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of calcium supplementation from Lithothamnium muelleri algae on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in mice with increased adiposity. Male mice were fed and divided during 8 weeks in: control (C), a high refined carbohydrate-containing diet (HC), HC diet supplemented with 1% of Lithothamnion muelleri algae (HC + A) and HC diet supplemented with 0.9% calcium carbonate (HC + C). Animals fed HC diet had increased body weight gain and adiposity, serum glucose and cholesterol, glucose intolerance and decreased insulin sensitivity, compared to control diet. However, the HC + A and HC + C groups did not prevent these aspects and were not able to change the CD14 + cells population in adipose tissue of animals fed HC diet. Calcium supplementation with Lithothamnium muelleri algae and calcium carbonate had no protective effect against the development of adiposity, metabolic and inflammatory alterations induced by HC diet.
