Improving effect of feeding with a phosphorylated guar gum hydrolysate on calcium absorption impaired by ovariectomy in rats

We have previously reported that a phosphorylated guar gum hydrolysate (P-G GH) promoted calcium absorption and the accumulation of bone calcium in rat s. We now investigate the effect of P-GGH (50 g/kg of diet) on the intestin al calcium absorption and bones of ovariectomized (OVX) rats in comparison with shamoperated rats over a sis-week ingestion period. The apparent calcium absorption was decreased by aging and ovariectomy in t he rats fed on the control and GGH diets (50 g/kg of diet), but not in the rats fed on the P-GGH diet, The absorption was higher in the PGGH group tha n in the GGH and control diet groups in the fourth and sixth weeks after fe eding the test diets to OVX rats, Femoral calcium and strength were decreased by OVX in the rats fed on the c ontrol and GGH diets, but not in the rats fed on the P-GGH diet. The values of these parameters were higher in the P-GGH group than in either the cont rol or GGH group of OVX rats. The amount of soluble calcium in the ileal contents was higher in the P-GGH group than in the control and GGH groups. These results indicate that P-GG H may be useful for preventing the reduction of intestinal calcium absorpti on and bone in the condition of estrogen deficiency.