• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2011

It is controversial whether low calcium intake, commonly associated with osteoporosis, results in calcium accumulation in soft tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of low calcium (Ca) and oxalate (ox) intake on soft-tissue Ca deposits and bone metabolism in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Eight week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and divided into four groups. The rats were fed experimental diets containing low (0.1%, w/w) or normal (0.5%, w/w) Ca with or without sodium oxalate (1%, w/w); Sham/NCa, Ovx/NCa, Ovx/LCa, Ovx/NCa-ox, Ovx/LCa-ox for 6 weeks. All ovx rats showed a remarkable increase in body and tissue weight, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and decreases in weight, ash, and Ca contents, as well as bone breaking force compared to those in sham rats. Serum Ca concentration was not significantly affected by dietary Ca levels or ox intake. Kidney Ca, ox acid content, and microscopic Ca deposition increased remarkably in the Ovx/LCa-ox group compared to those in the other groups. Ca content in the spleen and aorta also increased significantly, but the weight contents, Ca, bone breaking force, and Ca and oxalic acid in feces decreased significantly in the Ovx/LCa-ox group. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were not significantly different among the groups. These results indicate that low Ca intake decreased bone mineral content and increased Ca deposits in soft tissues, which was aggravated by ox intake in ovx rats. Thus, high ox intake may result in a kidney disorder in patients with osteoporosis who eat a low Ca diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.309-320
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• 1995

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of calcium levels(50, 100 and 200% of requirement) on metabolism of Ca, Na and K in Young and adult female rats for 3 weeks. There was no significant difference in feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio among the groups of different Ca intake level. Serum Na level of high-Ca group was significantly lower than that of low-Ca or normal-Ca group in Young rats. There was no significant difference in liver Ca and K contents among the groups of different Ca intake levels. But, Na content in liver was decreased by the increase of dietary Ca intake. Ca content in kidney of high-Ca group in young rats and normal-Ca group in adult rats were significantly higher than those of other groups. Na content in kidney of low-Ca group was lower than those of normal-Ca and high-Ca groups. Urinary excretions of Na and K and fecal excretion of Ca were increased by the increase of dietary Ca intake. But, fecal excretions of Na and K were not affected by dietary Ca intake. According to this study, it was found that the high Ca consumption promotes excretions of fecal Ca and urinary Na and K in rats. The study verifies the need for more study on the interrelationship among Ca, Na and K metabolism and bood pressure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2002

This study was to investigate 1) the correlation of serum Ca, with depression and anxiety ; and 2) the effect of Ca intake on those symptoms. The subjects were three females and two males who were 53-66 years old with the severe subjective symptoms of depression and anxiety. They have taken more than twice Ca of RDA(recommended dietary allowances for Koreans) daily for 6 months(dietary treatment). The prestudy Ca intake of the subjects was low: 60% of RDA for Koreans. Their serum Ca concentration was also low: 6.67 $\pm$ 0.15mg/d1 before the dietary treatment. They expressed severs depression and anxiety, with high self scores in a psychological test. Their serum Ca concentration increased to 8.32 $\pm$ 0.17mg/dl after six months of dietary treatment, while the symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased significantly after two months and nearly disappeared after six months. This result seemed to be an effect of the dietary high Ca intake. Serum Ca and the psychological states of depression and anxiety correlated negatively, and the coefficients of determination were high in the results of linear regression analysis of depression and anxiety by serum Ca. Therefore the serum Ca concentration could be a good marker to predict depression or anxiety relatively well. The continuous high Ca intake could decrease the probability of developing depression or anxiety and mitigate their symptoms because serum Ca concentration increased, while the state of depression and anxiety decreased with the increased Ca intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-154
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• 1993

A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the influence of phytate(0 or 10g/kg diet) and calcium (Ca)(3 or 10g/kg diet) intakes on Ca, P and Zn metabolism by growing female rats. Food intake and weight were similar for the all groups, however, phytate ingestion for six weeks depressed femur growth. The low Ca plus phytate group showed the lowest Ca content of total femur and this was related to a significant decrease of Ca retention. Phytate intake depressed zinc(Zn) absorption in the first metabolic collection. This inhibitory effect of phytate on Zn absorption was improved in the low Ca plus phytate group after several weeks. Impared Zn absorption however remained in the high Ca plus phytate group which was reflected in the lowest Zn content of femur, phytate intake with high Ca also depressed phosphorous(P) absorption and serum and urinary P. These adverse effects of phytate on Zn and P absorption when the dietary Ca was high could explain reduced femur weight despite the highest concentration of femur Ca(mg/g ash) in this group. Results suggest that phytate can adversely affect not only Ca metabolism but Zn and P utilization. Thus, for the normal bone growth when phytate intake is high, the ingesion of Ca, P, Zn and other minerals should be enhanced.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.813-824
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary calcium and phosphate levels on calcium and bone metabolism in rats. The rats were divided into six groups and each of the groups was fed diets with different Ca/P ratios. The experimental periods were 5 weeks . There was no significant different difference in dietary intake, body weight gain, and organ weight among the groups with different calcium and phosphate intake levels. Fecal calcium excretion was not significantly different among the groups, but urinary calcium excretion was increased by the increase in Ca/P ratio. Fecal phosphate excretion was not different but urinary phosphate excretion was increased by the increase in dietary phosphate intake. There was no significant difference in serum alkaline phophatase activity and urinary hydroxyproline levels were not significantly different among the groups. The low calcium-high phosphate(0.25Ca-1.2% P) group showed the lowest total calcium content in femur and scapula. This may be due to it having the lowest Ca/P ratio among groups. The low calcium-high phosphate(0.2%Ca-1.2%P) group showed that mandible is almost lost and osteolyzed Harversian canal was expanded in femur. Results suggest that phosphate intake affects calcium and bone metabolism more with inadequate calcium nutrition that with adequate calcium intake. Thus , for normal bone growth and metabolism , adequate calcium intake and/or high Ca/P ratio are important.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2001

In order to evaluate the effect of habitual Na and Ca intake on blood pressure regulation, we measured the habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca, urinary excretion of Ca, Na and K, and plasma level of renin activity, aldosterone, and indices of Ca metabolism in 27 untreated hypertensive women and 30 age-matched normal women on a free diet. Hypertensive and total subjects were divided into four groups according to habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca as low Na-low Ca(LNLC), low Na-high Ca(LNHC), high Na-low Ca(HNLC), and high Na-high Ca(HNHC). HNLC hypertensive group showed the lowest level of plasma renin activity, 25-(OH) Vit D$_3$, calcitonin and serum total Ca, and presented the highest level of PTH and urinary excretions of Na/K and Ca/Cr. There were no significant difference in plasma level of aldosterone and urinary excretion of Na and K among four hypertensive groups. When all subjects were divided into four groups according to the same method, HNLC group showed the highest level of blood pressure with no statistical significance and the lowest level of calcitonin and total serum Ca. The above results indicated that renin-aldosterone system and Ca regulating hormone has a mutual relationship in hypertension. Na and Ca may interact each other, rather than affecting independently blood pressure control. As a result, considering the fact that daily balance of Na and Ca intakes affects Na and Ca regulating hormones and urinary excretion of Na and Ca, it may be involved in blood pressure control. These results suggest that maintaining an adequate intake of Ca with less intake of Na may prevent from the risk of hypertension. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 409~416, 2001)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 1988

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary protein and calcium levels on calcium metabolism in eight healthy Korean adult females. The 2-day metabolic study consisted of a 2 day adaptation period and three 6-day experimental periods. Three experimental diets were low protein low calcium(LPLCa : protein 44g, Ca 422mg), higher protein low calcium(HPLCa : protein 85g, Ca 365mg), and high protein high calcium (HPHCa : protein 84g, Ca 727mg). The apparent calcium absorption was likely to be affected by the calcium intake rather than by the protein intake. Average calcium absorption rate was about 23-29% of calcium intake. The calcium balance was -21.44mg for LPCa, -25.02mg for HPLCa, and -3.22mg for HPHCa. Avergae urinary calcium excretion was 127.7mg for LPLCa, 108.6mg for HPLCa, and 215.4mg for HPHCa. Urinary calcium excretion was more closely related to the changes of calcium intake rather than of protein intake. These results seemed to be due to the interactions between the high phosphours contained in the high protein diet and the little discrepancy of protein intake levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.277-285
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• 1993

To investigate the effects of dietary calcium levels on the Ca metabolism in a rat model of ovariectomized osteoporosis, two studies were conducted. In Expt. I, five week-old femalc rats ovariectomized and fed a low Ca diet(0.06% Ca) for four weeks were compared with rats fed a normal (0.53% Ca) or low Ca diet under the sham-operated condition. Ovariectomized rats showed a significant increase in body weight and food intake. In rats fed the low Ca diet, a remarkable decrease was shown regardless of ovariectomy in serum Ca concentration, breaking force of bones, Ca and phopsphrus contents of bones, and apparent absorption and retention of Ca. Furthermore hte decrease of Ca contents of serum and bones in rats ovariectomized and fed the low Ca diet was similar to that in rats model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In Expt. II, rats ovariectomized and fed on the low Ca diet for four weeks were divided into three groups, those given low Ca diet, normal Ca diet and high Ca diet(1.06%) respectively. The results indicated that supplementations of Ca at the intake level of 0.53% and 1.06% for 4 weeks tend to improve the relative Ca deficiency shown in experimental rat model of ovariectomized osteoporosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.459-469
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• 2003

We examined the effects of calcium intake levels on mineral metabolism during pregnancy using calcium-deficient young adult rats. Five week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal Ca (NCa, 0.5%) and low Ca (LCa, 0.15%) diets for five weeks (pre-pregnancy). The low Ca intake group was then divided into three groups and fed low Ca (0.15%), normal Ca (0.5%) and high Ca (1.5%) diets for 3 weeks (pregnancy). All of the rats were mated with normal male rats. The control group was fed a consistently normal Ca (0.5%) diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. On the day after delivery, dams and their pups were sacrificed. We measured total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and mineral content in serum and weight, length, breaking force, ash and mineral content in the femur and lumbar (L2-L4) of the dams. Whole body mineral content was measured in the pups. There was no difference in weight gain and food intake among the groups. Serum total protein and albumin were in the normal range but a little lower during pregnancy. High Ca supplementation decreased serum Mg and Fe during pregnancy. Weight, ash and Ca of the femur and lumbar significantly decreased in rats fed a chronically low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Calcium supplementation levels were above normal during pregnancy and increased the bone weight and breaking force of rats fed the low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy. However, Ca supplementation did not increase the ash and Ca contents in the bones. High Ca supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased Mg in the bones and increased Ca and P in the kidneys. Ash content of pups from dams fed the chronically low Ca diet decreased but there was no difference in whole body Ca among the groups. Mg and Fe in the whole body decreased in pups from dams fed the high Ca diet. Pregnancy performance was reduced in dams fed the low Ca diet. These results suggest that above normal Ca supplementation levels during pregnancy restored maternal bone status to some extent in rats fed the chronically low Ca diet. The same could not be said for mineral content. Also, high Ca supplementation during pregnancy may deteriorate mineral composition in bones and other tissues. Therefore, more detailed research is needed to facilitate sound recommendations on appropriate calcium intake during pregnancy. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 459∼469, 2003)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2006

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary calcium and soy isoflavone on body fat and lipid metabolism in high fat-induced obesity. Four week old female C57/BL6J mice, known as a good model of diet-induced obesity, were fed low Ca and high fat diet for 6 weeks. After induced obesity, mice were divided into six groups according to diets varying calcium contents (0.1 or 1.5%) and genistein contents (0 or 500 or 1,000 ppm). Body weight, fat pad (perirenal fat and parameterial fat), adipocyte size, serum total lipid and total cholesterol were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. However, the effect of genistein supplementation showed in low Ca-fed groups. Serum LDL-cholesterol and TG were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. In liver, lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme) activity and TG were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. This inhibitory effect of genistein on lipogenic enzymes showed in low Ca-fed groups. But liver total cholesterol and total lipid were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. Fecal excretion of total lipid, total cholesterol and TG were significantly increased by high Ca intake, not by genistein supplementation. In conclusion, high calcium intake and genistein supplement may be beneficial for suppression of obesity through direct anti-adipogenesis by decreasing fat weight and size and indirect anti-lipo-genesis by inhibiting lipogenic enzymes activity and improving lipid profile.