Effects of fructooligosaccharides on the absorption of iron, calcium and magnesium in iron-deficient anemic rats.
We investigated the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FO)-feeding on the absorption of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and on the biochemical parameters in Fe-deficient anemic rats. Fe-deficient anemic rats were made by feeding an Fe-deficient diet for 3 weeks. Then these Fe-deficient rats were fed an experimental diet that contained one of two levels of Fe (15 or 30 mg/kg diet), in the form of ferric pyrophosphate, and one of two levels of FO (0 or 50 g/kg diet) for 2 weeks. After the rats were fed these experimental diets, FO-feeding increased the hematocrit ratio, the concentration of hemoglobin and the hemoglobin regeneration efficiency during the first week. Also, the apparent absorption of Fe was increased by FO-feeding. The levels of Fe in the diet did not affect the absorption of Ca and Mg. However, FO-feeding increased the absorption of Ca and Mg. FO-feeding lowered the pH and raised the solubility of Fe, Ca and Mg in the cecal contents, suggesting that those increasing effects of FO-feeding on absorption of these minerals is correlated with fermentation of FO in the large intestine, namely, the cecum and colon. We concluded that FO-feeding improved recovery from anemia and increased the absorption of Fe, Ca and Mg in Fe-deficient anemic rats.
D000042:Absorption; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000178:diet therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004435:Eating; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D005632:Fructose; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium