DIETARY FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES INCREASE CALCIUM-ABSORPTION AND LEVELSOF MUCOSAL CALBINDIN-D9K IN THE LARGE-INTESTINE OF GASTRECTOMIZED RATS

Background: In gastrectomized rats intestinal calcium absorption and b one calcium levels markedly decrease and the levels recover as a resul t of feeding fructooligosaccharides (FOS). In the present study we exa mined the effects of gastrectomy and dietary FOS on intestinal calbind in-D9k (CaBP) levels. Methods: One group of rats was subjected to a sh am operation and fed a control diet. Two other groups of rats were gas trectomized, and those in one group were fed the control diet, whereas those in the other group were fed a diet containing 10% FOS. Intestin al calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus absorption levels and intestinal CaBP levels were measured. Results: Gastrectomy increased CaBP levels in the distal small intestine. cecum, and colorectum but markedly dec reased calcium absorption. Dietary FOS increased CaBP levels in the ce cum and colorectum in the ease of gastrectomized rats and improved cal cium absorption. Conclusions: The results suggest that dietary FOS not only improve intestinal calcium absorption but also serve to maintain local calcium homeostasis in the intestine by increasing mucosal CaBP levels in the large intestine of gastrectomized rats.