Effects of Ovariectomy and Calcium Intake on Lipid Profile and Antioxidant Capacities in Rats

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of the calcium intake on lipid profile and antioxidant capacities in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups and fed diet with different levels of calcium (low 0.1%, adequate 0.5%, high 1.5%) for 4 weeks. The half of rats in each group was ovariectomized and the others were sham-operated. And rats were fed same diets for 8 weeks after operation. Feed intake and weight gain were significantly higher in OVX group than those in sham-operated. Serum HDL-cholesterol was the highest in high-calcium group of OVX. Hepatic triglyceride of low-calcium group in sham-operated was the highest, while that of highcalcium group in OVX was the highest. Hepatic activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase were significantly decreased by increasement of calcium intake. Hepatic TBARS level was the lowest in high-calcium group of OVX. And hepatic level of TBARS induced by AAPH was significantly decreased by increasement of calcium intake. These results may indicate that the high calcium intake have the potential role to improve lipid profiles and antioxidant capacities in OVX rats.