The Enhancing Action of Certain Carbohydrates on the Intestinal Absorption of Calcium in the Rat

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Abstract
The influence of various sugars and of bile on calcium absorption from ligated duodenal and ileal segments in rats was studied, using a technique based on the determination of Ca45 in the femur following injection into intestinal segments. Bile, lactose, sorbitol, glucose, sucrose, fructose, galactose and xylose did not significantly influence calcium absorption from the duodenum. Each of the sugars above enhanced greatly the absorption of calcium from ileal segments. Bile had no effect. The influence of glucose on calcium absorption from the ileum, and its utilization was studied as a function of time, and a positive glucose effect was apparent at 30 minutes. Glucose increased calcium utilization 100% at 1 hour and 300% at 4 hours. Mg++ and Sr++ decreased Ca++ absorption in the presence of glucose or lactose; PO4--- decreased absorption of Ca++ in the presence or absence of sugars; and Na+ had no effect in the test groups or controls. It is concluded that lactose and certain other sugars owe their enhancing action on calcium utilization to the fact that they are slowly absorbed from the intestinal tract and are available for a role in calcium absorption throughout the small intestine.