Vitamin D insufficiency affects Calcium absorption effectiveness of prebiotics

Abstract

Background and objectives: Low Ca intake (CaI) is related to osteoporosis among others pathologies. Passive and active intestinal Ca absorption (Abs) is regulated by vitamin D within limits, which compensate for the lesser CaI. Prebiotics also positively affect Ca Abs by selectively increasing acid lactic bacteria’s which releases short-chain fatty acids which improve Ca salts solubility by lowering intestinal pH, and favor colonic epithelial cell proliferation. The aim of the present report was to evaluate the effectiveness of prebiotic to absorb Ca in adult rats feeding a low Ca diet and vitamin D insufficiency. Objectives: The effectiveness of Galacto-oligosaccharides/Fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS®) mixture to increase CaAbs was evaluated in a model of VD insufficiency (-VD) and established osteopenia.