Calcium carbonate supplementation exacerbated gut microenvironment disruption in senile osteoporosis mice

Calcium carbonate supplements are a fundamental component in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, doubts regarding their use in the management of senile osteoporosis have been on the rise. The intestinal microenvironment plays a crucial role in bone metabolism and mineral absorption. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether oral calcium carbonate itself affects the intestinal microbiota, thereby influencing mineral absorption. Using senile osteoporosis mice with 16S rDNA sequencing, the study found calcium disrupted intestinal barrier. It slightly alleviated age-related bone loss but worsened gut dysbiosis, proinflammatory cytokine imbalance, and systemic inflammation. This study reveals that calcium carbonate supplements disrupt the intestinal microbial ecosystem, impair the intestinal mucosal barrier function, and exacerbate systemic inflammatory responses, resulting in minimal efficacy in the treatment of senile osteoporosis. This finding provides a perspective for understanding the potential trade-offs of calcium carbonate in the treatment and management of senile osteoporosis.