Bioavailability of Calcium from Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in Ovariectomized Rats Fed a High Fat Diet

Abstract

Background

Skeletal abnormalities such as bone loss occur when there is an imbalance in bone matrix synthesis and bone resorption. This imbalance is also caused by hormonal changes and inflammation. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) has a high nutritional value and is an excellent source of calcium. Evaluate the bioavailability of calcium from chia, and its effect on bone metabolism when consumed as part of a standard or high fat diet (HFD) in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

The study was conducted with 80 female Wistar rats that received standard diet or HFD. 40 female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and 40 were sham-operated (SHAM). After recovery from surgery the animals received chia as a source of 20% of the calcium recommendation, calcium bioavailability was measured using the calcium balance technique. Bone strength and bone morphometry were evaluated by weight, length and microtomography measurements.

Results

HFD increased serum calcium and decreased calcium retention. The addition of chia to HFD did not alter bone morphology. Ovariectomy led to lower percentage of bone volume, smaller trabecular thickness, higher trabecular separation and higher porosity, when ovariectomy was associated with HFD, the final weight, waist circumference, body mass index and adiposity were increased.

Conclusions

Chia maintained bone health when offered as a source of 20% calcium, in a diet that met 100% of the mineral recommendation, regardless of the type of diet, in animals non-ovariectomized adults.

Keywords:

• Calcium
• bioavailability
• chia seed
• bone health
• ovariectomy

Acknowledgements

Experiments and analyses involving electron microscopy were performed in Nucleus of Microscopy and Microanalysis at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil (www.nmm.ufv.br).

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Foundation for Research Support of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, Brazil, number: APQ-02183-17) for financial support of the research; we are also grateful to the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Brazil), and the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq, Brazil, number: 406517/2018-5)