The Effects of a Mineral Supplement (Aquamin F®) and Its Combination with Multi-Species Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on Bone Accretion in an Ovariectomized Rat Model

Abstract

Although an adequete intake of calcium (Ca) is recommended for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, the intake of Ca should be restricted because of its low rate of intestinal absorption. The purpose of this experiment was to identify the effect of the combined administration of Aquamin F (AQF) (a calcium agent) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on osteoporosis. Thirty ovariectomized (OVX) rats and six control rats were assigned to the following six groups,with six animals per group: sham Ca-deficient diet (Ca-D), OVX, LAB, AQF, and LAB-AQF. During the experiment,the body weight was measured; and after the experiment was completed, the serum biochemical analysis, the alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus leves were measured. The tissue of the femur was stained and then scanned via CT. The body weight of the OVX group increased more significantly than that of the control group. The results of the bone mineral content (BMC), Bone mineral density (BMD), serum biochemical analysis and histological test on the femur epiphysis showed no difference between the OVX group and the LAB group, whereas the results of the AQF group were more significant than those of the OVX group. In particular, the LAB+AQF group showed more significant increases in the aforementioned results than the AQF group. This experiment showed that the combined administration of AQF and LAB in ovariectomized rats more significantly increased bone density than did a single administration of either AQF or LAB.