title: Effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin on intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.
abstract: Deficiency of oestrogen at menopause decreases intestinal Ca absorption, contributing to a negative Ca balance and bone loss. Mg deficiency has also been associated with bone loss. The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that treatment with a spray-dried mixture of chicory oligofructose and long-chain inulin (Synergy1; SYN1) would increase the absorption of both Ca and Mg and alter markers of bone turnover. Fifteen postmenopausal women (72.2 (SD 6.4) years) were treated with SYN1 or placebo for 6 weeks using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Fractional Ca and Mg absorption were measured using dual-tracer stable isotopes before and after treatment. Bone turnover markers were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Fractional absorption of Ca and Mg increased following SYN1 compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Bone resorption (by urinary deoxypyridinoline cross-links) was greater than baseline at 6 weeks of active treatment (P < 0.05). Bone formation (by serum osteocalcin) showed an upward trend at 3 weeks and an increase following 6 weeks of SYN1 (P < 0.05). Closer examination revealed a variation in response, with two-thirds of the subjects showing increased absorption with SYN1. Post hoc analyses demonstrated that positive responders had significantly lower lumbar spine bone mineral density than non-responders (dual X-ray absorptiometry 0.887 +/- 0.102 v. 1.104 +/- 0.121 g/cm2; P < 0.01), and changes in bone turnover markers occurred only in responders. These results suggest that 6 weeks of SYN1 can improve mineral absorption and impact markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Further research is needed to determine why a greater response was found in women with lower initial spine bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Studies Unit and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moynihan
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Kyla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Friedlander
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018651:Cichorium intybus; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; C120489:oligofructose; D014807:Vitamin D; D007444:Inulin; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium