Abstract
We examined the effects of the amount and chemical form of supplemental calcium on abdominal fat accumulation in KK mice. Three groups of KK/Ta mice were fed a 0.5% Ca diet supplemented with either CaCO3 (NC) or milk calcium (MC), or a 0.1% Ca diet supplemented with CaCO3 (LC), respectively. Final body weight and food efficiency ratio in the LC group were significantly higher than in the NC and MC groups. Liver lipid accumulation was significantly higher in the LC group than in the NC and MC groups. Blood glucose and serum insulin and leptin levels were significantly higher in the LC group than in the NC and MC groups. Serum PTH levels were significantly lower in the MC group than in the LC group. Abdominal fat weight was significantly increased in the LC group compared to those in the NC and MC groups. These results indicate that low Ca intake enhances abdominal fat accumulation, possibly by causing excess secretion of insulin. However, no marked differences were observed between milk Ca and CaCO3 supplementation in terms of abdominal fat accumulation.
