Effect of Antibiotics on the Gastrointestinal Absorption of Calcium and Magnesium in the Rat

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Abstract
Rats fed complete diets containing 60% galactose or glucose show greater absorption of calcium when a broad spectrum antibiotic such as neomycin is included in the diet. Absorption of magnesium is also increased. The additionally absorbed magnesium is excreted in the urine resulting in no overall improvement in utilization. The duration of the antibiotic effect appears to be less than one month. The mechanism of the effect is unknown. The only difference noted was that animals ingesting antibiotics had greatly distended ceca, predominantly due to increased water content.