Nondigestible Oligosaccharides Increase Calcium Absorption and Suppress Bone Resorption in Ovariectomized Rats

Nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) including inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been reported to stimulate calcium absorption. Here we report the effect of a mixture of inulin and FOS (Raftilose Synergy 1, Orafti) on calcium and bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. OVX rats (6 mo old) were fed a semipurified diet for 3 mo in our animal care laboratory for stabilization after ovariectomy. They were then divided into two groups (n = 13/group) and fed either a control or a NDO-supplemented diet (55 g/kg) for 21 d. Catheters were placed in their jugular veins. After 2 d, a tracer (45Ca) was administered by gavage or i.v. and blood was sampled for up to 300 min. Urine and fecal samples were collected for 4 d after 45Ca administration. Femurs were measured for bone mineral density (BMD), breaking strength, and total calcium. Calcium absorption, femoral calcium content, BMD, and bone balance (Vbal) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by NDO, whereas the bone resorption rate relative to the bone formation rate was significantly depressed by NDO. We conclude that feeding NDO at 5.5 g/100 g for 21 d has a positive effect on calcium absorption and retention in ovariectomized rats.