Supplemental Feeding of Difructose Anhydride III Restores Calcium Absorption Impaired by Ovariectomy in Rats

Abstract

In three separate experiments, we examined the effects of feeding difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) on intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption using female Sprague-Dawley rats (6 wk old) with or without ovariectomy (OVX). In Experiment 1, we showed that Ca absorption was lower in OVX rats fed the 2.0 and 3.0 g Ca/kg diets, but not the 1.0 g Ca/kg diet, than in sham-operated rats during a 3-wk test period. In Experiment 2, we demonstrated that Ca absorption rate in sham and OVX rats fed a diet containing 3% DFAIII was higher than that in rats fed a DFAIII-free diet 4 wk after consuming the test diets. Absorptive activities of everted sacs of the colon, but not of the duodenum, in rats fed DFAIII diet for 4 wk were higher than those in rats fed the control diet. In Experiment 3, we determined which of the small and large intestines is responsible for the effects of DFAIII on Ca absorption using OVX rats with cecocolonectomy or transsection and reanastomosis (sham). Both the sham and cecocolonectomized rats were divided into four subgroups and fed a control, polyethylene glycol (PEG), 1.5% DFAIII or 3% DFAIII diet. We set up the PEG group as another control group to observe the effects of shortening transit time of the small intestine in the DFAIII groups. Promotive effects of DFAIII on Ca absorption were abolished by cecocolonectomy. However, in the cecocolonectomized rats, the Ca absorption rate was still higher in the 1.5 and 3% DFAIII groups than in the PEG group. In conclusion, ovarian hormone deficiency impaired Ca absorption, but the reduction of Ca absorption was restored by feeding DFAIII. J. Nutr. 132: 3387-3393, 2002.

Effect of Difructose Anhydride III on Calcium Absorption in Humans

“…It has been demonstrated DFAIII increased calcium absorption in in vivo balance study with nomal and ovariectomized rats and reveals by the Ussing-type chamber technique with the rats isolated intestinal mucosa that DFAIII increased calcium absorption through the paracellular route in the small and large intestine. [4][5][6][7] However, DFAIII has not been demonstrated as a special food valuable for calcium absorption in humans. We examine here the effects of DFAIII intake on calcium absorption in healthy male adults that were chosen to eliminate any influence of sexual cyclerelated hormonal changes.…”

Chemical and Enzymatic Approaches to Carbohydrate-Derived Spiroketals: Di-D-Fructose Dianhydrides (DFAs)

“…For instance, Hara and Tomita have demonstrated that ingestion of α-D-fructofuranose-β-Dfructofuranose 1,2':2,3'-dianhydride (1, also known as DFA III) in daily diet increases the absorption of calcium, magnesium and zinc in rats [38][39][40][41][42][43]. The same authors observed that ingestion of DFA III and DFA IV [di-β-D-fructofuranose-2,6':6,2'-dianhydride (15), a non-spiroacetalic DFA isomer, Figure 4] [44] affects the epithelial tissue and activates the passage of tight junctions in vitro, thereby promoting mineral absorption in the small and large intestine of rats [45][46].…”

Difructose Anhydride III Enhances Zinc Absorption in vivo: Zinc Gluconate is More Suitable for the Effects of Difructose Anhydride III than Zinc Yeast

“…DFAIII is known to be involved in promoting calcium absorption in the large intestine [10,[12][13][14]. Therefore, further research needs to be done in the large intestine on this topic.…”

“…H65-7 [9]. DFAIII has been found to stimulate calcium absorption and increase bone mineral density, and to stimulate iron absorption and prevent anemia in rats [10,11]. The two proposed mechanisms for the promotion of calcium absorption are the following: 1) intact DFAIII stimulates paracellular mineral absorption by increasing the passage of tight junctions in the small and large intestine [12,13]; and 2) ingested *To whom correspondence should be addressed.…”

“…Fax: +81-45-820-3526 E-mail: hachiya@fancl.co.jp DFAIII is fermented in the large intestine, producing shortchain fatty acids that promote calcium absorption [10,14]. The promoting effect of DFAIII on calcium absorption has been demonstrated by in vivo balance studies and human urinary calcium excretion [15] and balance studies.…”