Complex modulating effects of dietary calcium intake on obese mice

Background/Aim: Οverweight and obesity are risk factors for chronic diseases. Dietary calcium has been reported to exert anti-obesity effects. However, the complex modulating effects of calcium intake on obese mice have not been clarified. Materials and Methods: The effects of calcium intake on body weight/visceral fat mass were examined in the obese mouse model, KK-A^y. Results: Body weight gain decreased in mice fed a diet containing 0.4 to 3.2% calcium at the age of 11 and 13 weeks, but not at 12 weeks after normalization for food intake. Calcium intake also decreased serum insulin levels and increased the amount of feces excreted. Fecal deoxycholate levels were lower in the high-calcium group than in the normal diet control group. Furthermore, the ratio of the deoxycholate-producing microbiome in feces decreased. Conclusion: Dietary calcium has anti-obesity effects in obese KK-A^y mice. Inhibition of insulin production and an increased amount of feces excreted with calcium intake may affect body weight.