Detection and significance of calcium metabolism and indicators of calcium nutritional status in obese rats

Objective To study changes in calcium level and related metabolism indicators in obese rats and to provide evidences for the prevention and control of calcium malnutrition induced by obesity.Methods Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=10) and an obesity model group(n=15); the rats in the two groups were fed with ordinary feed and high-fat diet,respectively,for 8 weeks and they were sacrificed and their eye blood samples were collected for detections of serum calcium,alkaline phosphatase,parathyroid hormone,calcitonin,calcium-binding protein,and vitamin D receptor.Results Compared with the control group,serum calcium was decreased and alkakine phosphatase increased in obese group significantly(both P<0.05).Compared with the control group,serum parathyroid hormone was increased and calcitonin decreased in obese model group significantly(both P<0.05). Compared with the control group,serum calcium-binding protein was decreased and vitamin D receptor increased in obese model group significantly(both P<0.05).Conclusion Obesity can lead to calcium deficiency and changes in calcium metabolism indices.Obese people should pay attention to the increase of dietary calcium intake.