Effects of spirulina, a blue-green alga, on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats and hindlimb-unloaded mice

Yoshiko Ishimi, Fumie Sugiyama, Junko Ezaki, Maiko Fujioka, Jian Wu
Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry · 2006 · vol. 70(2) , pp. 363–368 · doi:10.1271/bbb.70.363 · PMID:16495651 · W2039469679
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Spirulina intake decreased bone mineral density in the trabecular bone of rodents under estrogen-deficient conditions, as observed in ovariectomized rats but not hindlimb-unloaded mice.

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Abstract

The safety and effectiveness were examined of the spirulina alga on bone metabolism in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats and hindlimb-unloaded mice. The dosage range was from an amount equal to that recommended in so-called health foods for humans (0.08 g/kg BW/day) to a 100-fold higher dose. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole femur and tibia of ovariectomized rats in the any spirulina-treated groups was not significantly different from that of the ovariectomized group, although BMD of the distal femur and proximal tibia was significantly lower in the spirulina-treated groups than in the ovariectomized group after a 6 week-experimental period. BMD of the femur and tibia was not affected by treatment with any dose of spirulina in hindlimb-unloaded mice. These results suggest that the intake of spirulina decreased BMD in the trabecular bone of rodents under estrogen-deficient conditions.

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MeSH descriptors

Bacterial Proteins Bone and Bones Bone and Bones Bone Density Cyanobacteria Hindlimb Hindlimb Hindlimb Suspension Aging Aging Aging Animals Bacterial Proteins Biomarkers Biomarkers Body Weight Body Weight Bone and Bones Bone Density Cyanobacteria

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