Ameliorative effects of brachidontes variabilis calcium carbonate against bone loss in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: Marine products rich in calcium became promising supplements used in combination with medication for osteoporosis treatment. This study aimed to use natural products extracted from marine organisms in osteoporosis treatment as novel approach in drug discovery. Therefore, calcium carbonate isolated from Brachidontes variabilis (B. variabilis) shells were used against bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Ovariectomized (OVX) rat model was used to test treatment strategy for osteoporosis. Bivalve, Brachidontes variabilis, is a biomineral lamellar composite of calcite and/or aragonite (CaCO3) embedded within an organic framework. Efficaciously advanced novel class of CaCO3 particles isolated from Brachidontes variabili shells (BVC) were used against bone loss in ovariectomized rats. All obtained data were analyzed using the general liner models (GLM) technique of statistical analysis system. Results: The present study demonstrates that both the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) could be feasible methods for structural identifications of the CaCO3. The present study showed that treatment of OVX-rats with low and high doses of BVC revealed significant p<0.05 increase in the proximal, distal and total bone mineral density (BMD), elevation in the serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level and reduction in serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and β2-microglobulin levels. Results revealed that treatment of OVX-rats with low and high doses of BVC prevented significantly the expression alterations of bone resorption and bone formation genes compared with those in OVX-rats. Conclusion: These results suggested that CaCO3 isolated from B. variabilis shells may indeed have a promising significant potential in clinical translation, which then are exploited as a carrier for efficient loading of different types of therapeutic strategies.