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

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.

Nanotechnology towards prevention of anaemia and osteoporosis: from concept to market

“…The calcium bioavailability in the OVX-osteoporosis group from fortified and nano-fortified milk was reported to be 9.74% and 30.17%, respectively [3]. Another related study was conducted by Huang et al [40] on the effect of nano calcium carbonate and nano calcium citrate on the bioavailability of calcium in OVX mice models and the toxic effects. It was observed that, at a nano calcium citrate and nano calcium carbonate concentration of 2.3 and 1.3 g/kg, there was no toxic effect.…”

Preparation and properties of calcium citrate nanosheets for bone graft substitute

“…The experiments showed that the variation of serum calcium concentrations influenced the bone mineral density and that calcium citrate exhibited better effects compared to calcium carbonate. 4 Traditionally, there are 2 calcium citrate preparation methods: on the one hand, it be can obtained directly from the reaction of citric acid and calcium carbonate; On the other hand, it can be produced from citric acid and calcium hydroxide by acid-base reaction. Eggshells, shells and other biological waste materials contain high contents of calcium carbonate and are often used as the raw material.…”

“…Nano-calcium citrate is nowadays generally prepared by physical techniques. Huang et al 4 rely on a pulsed jet mill to nanocrystallize calcium citrate, however the weakness of this method is significant, which is energy-consuming and particles are hardly obtained and screening is thus required in order to obtain a calcium citrate at a nanoscale. Herdtweck et al 8 prepared calcium citrate by a hydrothermal method utilizing a needle-like calcium citrate to control the morphology; however this method is hard to industrialize due to the complex process of the hydrothermal method, equipment requirements, and long time required.…”

Effects of Nano‐CaCO3/Limestone Composite Particles on the Hydration Products and Pore Structure of Cementitious Materials

“…Nanosized calcium carbonate particles are attached to the surface of micron-scale limestone particles. Also, acute and subchronic toxicity tests were performed to establish the safety of these products after oral administration [28]. Results showed that nano-CaCO 3 did not produce any obvious symptoms of toxicity, even at the highest dose administered.…”