Enhanced absorption of calcium after oral administration of maltitol in the rat intestine

The enhancing effects of maltitol (α-D-glucopyranosyl 1,4-sorbitol) on absorption of calcium by the rat intestine have been studied by use of [ 45 Ca]CaCl 2 in-vivo. After intragastric administration of [ 45 Ca]CaCl 2 solution with maltitol, plasma 45 Ca concentration remained at the maximum level for more than 80 min, whereas for animals given [ 45 Ca]CaCl 2 solution without maltitol, plasma 45 Ca concentration declined sharply after the peak. Determination of 45 Ca radioactivity remaining in the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract revealed that administration of maltitol elicited slower gastric emptying and slower intestinal transit, resulting in extensive 45 Ca distribution along the small intestine throughout the experimental period. The luminal contents of the small intestine were significantly higher in rats given maltitol than in the control group. These results suggest that the enhancing action of maltitol on intestinal calcium absorption could be attributed to reduced gastrointestinal calcium transit and increased luminal fluid content, presumably because of the osmotic activity of maltitol; this would not only accelerate the dissolution of calcium into the increased luminal contents, but also enable a larger area of the small intestine to absorb calcium for a longer period of time.