The Effect on Bone of Stimulated Intestinal Mineral Absorption Following Fructooligosaccharide Consumption in Rats

Abstract

Several studies have been carried out to establish the role of calcium and magnesium in bone. These minerals may play an important role in bone structure or strength. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are known to be stimulators of intestinal mineral absorption. In intact rats, bone volume and the mineral content (Ca, and Mg ) of the bone surface are greater in FOS-fed rats. Moreover, a significant relationship exists between the absorption of these minerals and their content in bone. Osteopenia is known to follow total gastrectomy in animals, leading to the severe concordant loss of both cortical and cancellous bone. These findings are similar to senile osteoporosis in humans. Dietary FOS completely prevents the gastrectomy-induced osteopenia in rats. If similar effects are found in humans, an increase in mineral deposition in bone during growth may contribute to the prevention of bone disease with age. Thus FOS might be a promising prebiotic for bone.

Dietary 'acid load' and self reported prevalence of hip fractures: A population based, cross sectional study

“…The odds ratios in the various age groups for reporting hip fractures related to a low vs. high frequency of using cheese were: age 30 years (yes/no=43/3927), OR=2.43, 95% CI=1. 16 Crude mean frequency of cheese use in the various age groups in subjects reporting hip fractures and 'controls' is shown in Figure 4. There was an age related increase in the frequency of cheese intake, and cheese was more frequently used in 'controls' than in hip fracture cases (except in age group 75-76 years).…”

“…In the rat, indigestible carbohydrates of plants, such as fructooligosaccarides, have been shown to increase intestinal calcium absorption, calcium balance, and bone mineral density (16,17). Among mechanisms of action are increased absorptive area of the large bowel produced by a high fibre content, and formation of short-chain fatty acids serving to promote calcium absorption in the colon.…”

The Oslo Health Study: A Dietary Index Estimating Frequent Intake of Soft Drinks and Rare Intake of Fruit and Vegetables Is Negatively Associated with Bone Mineral Density

“…In the rat, indigestible carbohydrates of plants, such as fructo-oligo-saccarides, have been shown to increase intestinal calcium absorption, calcium balance, and bone mineral density [ 15 , 16 ]. Among mechanisms of action are increased absorption area of the large bowel produced by a high fibre content and formation of short-chain fatty acids which could promote calcium absorption in the colon.…”

Galacto-oligosaccharides and Other Products Derived from Lactose

“…The precise mechanisms of prebiotic-mediated improvements in mineral uptake remain unclear, but fermentative activities of the microbiota, including the production of SCFA and reductions in luminal pH, are believed to be involved in improving mineral solubility and extending the site of mineral absorption further into the colon (Morohashi, 2002) (Figure 5.11). In rat studies, increased calcium uptake has lead to improved bone mineralization for animals fed GOSs (Chonan et al, 1995) or lactulose (Mizota, 1996), and improved calcium uptake has also been reported in human feeding studies using these two lactose derivatives (Van den Heuvel et al, 1999;2000).…”