The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate as a Food Additive on Serum Calcium Level in Rats

Sodium bicarbonate is frequently used in cookery by women and youngsters. Calcium is one of the most important factors in growth, pregnancy and lactation and it`s fluctuation may cause irreversible effects on human beings and animals. This study was done to show the effects of sodium bicarbonate on serum calcium level in rats. In this study three age and sex matched groups of rats (A: n=15, B: n=15, C: n=15) were selected. 5 g/kg and 10g/kg of sodium bicarbonate were added to the diet of group A and group B of animals respectively. Group C of animals was considered as control group. After 3 months aniaml groups were anesthesied using ether and blood samples were obtained from the heart of the rats. Serum from plasma samples were separated and serum calcium level were measured. The serum calcium level in groups A, B and C were 7.9 mg/dl, 6 mg/dl and 8.5mg/dl respectively. Serum calcium level in group B of animals was significantly different from the other groups. No significant difference was found between group A and B animals regarding serum calcium level. With respect to the result of this study addition of sodium bicarbonate to the diet of rats may decrease serum calcium level and it may also affect some biochemical reactions.