Mannitol improves absorption and retention of calcium and magnesium in growing rats

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 325 - 331
• Main Authors: Xiao, Jin, M.D, Li, Xiao, Ph.D, Min, Xiao, M.D, Sakaguchi, Ei, Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 2013; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Absorption; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary - pharmacokinetics; Cecum; Cecum - metabolism; Cellulose; Chromium; Diet; Fatty acids; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fermentation; Food production; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Hogs; Intestinal Absorption - drug effects; Magnesium; Magnesium - pharmacokinetics; Male; Mannitol; Mannitol - administration & dosage; Mannitol - pharmacokinetics; Organic acids; Pharmaceutical industry; Rat; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Retention; Rodents; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Absorption; Magnesium; Calcium; Rat; Cecum; Mannitol; Digestive system; Gut; Rodentia; Retention; Inorganic element; Micronutrient; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Animal
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2012.06.010

Abstract Objective Resistant sugars, which have several desirable properties, are often used in food production and the pharmaceutical industry. We evaluated the effects of mannitol on the absorption and retention of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in growing rats. Methods In experiment 1, 4-wk-old growing male Wistar rats were given a control diet (C) or mannitol diets containing 2%, 4%, 6%, or 8% mannitol (2M, 4M, 6M, or 8M, respectively) for 28 d to measure the absorption and retention of Ca and Mg. In the last 7 d of the feeding trial, the non-absorbable marker chromium-mordant cellulose was added to the experimental diets to estimate Ca and Mg absorbability in the intestinal segments. In experiment 2, 9-wk-old growing male Wistar rats were fed for 7 d with the experimental diets (C, 4M, or 8M) to observe cecal parameters. Results Apparent Ca absorption and retention in bone were significantly increased by 6M and 8M. Apparent Mg absorption was significantly increased by 4M, 6M, and 8M, whereas Mg retention in bone was significantly increased by 8M. The Ca/Cr and Mg/Cr in cecal digesta were similar in all groups. Fecal Ca/Cr was significantly decreased by 6M and 8M and Mg/Cr was significantly decreased by 4M, 6M, and 8M. In experiment 2, cecal weight and tissue weight were significantly increased by 8M. A significant decrease in pH was concomitant with a significant change in cecal organic acid concentrations after mannitol consumption. Conclusion Absorption and retention of Ca and Mg are promoted by mannitol feeding through the fermentation of mannitol in the cecum.