46F-8 |
Effect of prebiotics on bone mineralization in Fisher 344 male weanling rats |
J. RICHARDSON, M. Verghese, I. A. Bonsi, L. T. Walker, L. Shackelford, and C. B. Chawan. Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A & M University, Nutrition and Carcinogenesis Laboratory, P.O. Box 1628, Normal, AL 35762 The addition of fiber to human and animal diets has been associated with reduced absorption of minerals.However the effects of “soluble” forms of fiber on mineral bioavailability need to be studied. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of feeding diets containing Oligofructose and Inulin, which are soluble fibers, on bone mineralization in Fisher 344 male rats. Following an acclimatization period of 1 wk, 30 fisher male weanling rats were divided into 3 groups and were assigned to AIN 93G (control), AIN 93G + 10% oligofructose, and AIN 93G + 10% inulin. Daily feed intakes and biweekly body weights were recorded. Rats were sacrificed at 17 wk of age by CO2 euthanasia and bone (femur) samples were collected and analyzed for calcium, magnesium and phosphorus using an Inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometer following standard protocols. Body weight gains were lower in the experimental groups compared to the controls although the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Bone calcium in rats fed 10% oligofructose(5.98mmol/g) and 10%inulin (5.82mmol/g) diets were significantly(p<0.05) higher than the control (5.20mmol/g). Bone magnesium exhibited similar pattern. The phosphorus levels in the bone were different although differences were not statistically significant(p<0.05). The results suggest that prebiotics which are “soluble fibers” may increase Ca, P and Mg absorption and increase bone mineralization. Complex carbohydrates that are fermented by microflora in the large bowel may increase colonic absorption of certain minerals.
Session 46F, Nutrition
|