title: Glucose polymer increases jejunal calcium, magnesium, and zinc absorption in humans.
abstract: The present study investigated the effect of glucose polymer on jejunal calcium, magnesium, and zinc absorption in eight normal subjects, using the triple-lumen intestinal perfusion technique. For each subject, a 30-cm segment of jejunum was perfused for 60 min each with two different test solutions. When 4 mM glucose polymer was perfused net calcium absorption increased by fourfold (95 vs 488 mumol/30 cm/h), and net jejunal uptake of magnesium (393 mumol/30 cm/h) was observed, as compared to net magnesium secretion in the absence of glucose polymer. In addition, coadministration of glucose polymer doubled net zinc absorption (13 vs 29 mumol/30 cm/h). The rate of water absorption increased from 49 to 111 ml/30 cm/h. No further change in jejunal water and mineral absorption was observed when glucose polymer in the perfusate was increased from 4 to 8 mM. These results suggest that glucose polymer may have potential as an agent to significantly enhance mineral absorption.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water; D008274:Magnesium; D005947:Glucose; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium