Calcium carbonate-enriched pumpkin affects calcium status in ovariectomized rats

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Bone Metabolism
• Calcium Supplementation

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a significant health concern, particularly in postmenopausal women.
• Dietary calcium intake is crucial for bone health.
• Ovariectomized rats are a common model for studying postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-enriched pumpkin as a calcium source.
• To evaluate the impact of CaCO3-enriched pumpkin on calcium status in an osteoporosis model.
• To compare the effects of enriched pumpkin with alendronate and a combination therapy.

Main Methods:

• Forty female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, control ovariectomized, and ovariectomized groups receiving CaCO3-enriched pumpkin, alendronate, or both.
• A 12-week nutritional intervention was conducted.
• Assessment of total calcium, estradiol, parathyroid hormone, and procollagen type I N propeptide levels in tissues and blood.
• Histological analysis of femurs.

Main Results:

• CaCO3-enriched pumpkin consumption increased calcium content in the femurs of ovariectomized rats.
• Enriched pumpkin demonstrated a positive effect on bone recovery.
• Increased calcium accumulation was observed in the kidneys, particularly when combined with alendronate.

Conclusions:

• CaCO3-enriched pumpkin can serve as a beneficial dietary source of calcium for bone health.
• This pumpkin-based intervention shows potential for improving bone recovery in osteoporosis.
• The combination of enriched pumpkin and alendronate may enhance calcium accumulation, warranting further investigation.