Effects of nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate on toxicity in ICR mice and on bone mineral density in an ovariectomized mice model.

Full Abstract

Taking calcium supplements can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, but they are not readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Nanotechnology is expected to resolve this problem. In the present study, we examined whether the bioavailability of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate can be improved by reducing the particle size. The morphology of nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate was characterized by dynamic laser-light scattering (DLS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The measurements obtained from DLS, FE-SEM and TEM were comparable. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests were performed to establish the safety of these products after oral administration. The no-observed-adverse-effect levels of nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate were 1.3 and 2.3 g kg(-1) body weight, respectively. The results of our in vivo studies indicate that administering nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate can enhance the serum calcium concentration and maintain the whole-body bone mineral density in ovariectomized mice. These data suggest that nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate are more bioavailable than micro calcium carbonate and micro calcium citrate, respectively.

Author information

Author/s: Huang, Sherry (S); Chen, Jin Ching (JC); Hsu, Chin Wei (CW); Chang, Walter H (WH);

Affiliation: Center for Nano Bioengineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li 32023, Taiwan.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Nanotechnology (Nanotechnology), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 20 (issue 37) : pp 375102

Dates: Created 2009/08/26; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19706952, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

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