Effect of Trehalose on Calcium Absorption in Rats

Since the intestinal digestibility of trehalose was considered to be very poor, we studied the effects of trehalose on calcium absorption. In this study, the digestibility of trehalose by rat intestinal acetone powder, and calcium utilization by rat fed on trehalose were carried out. Trehalose as well as sucrose was completely digested, whereas lactose was digested by only 15%. Trehalose did not positively influence calcium absorption and the effect of trehalose on calcium absorption was similar to that of sucrose. The apparent absorption ratio during both periods (7-10days, 20-23days) were significantly increased in rats fed the lactose diet. Whole cecal weight was significantly elevated in rats fed the lactose diet, cecal pH was significantly lowered, and the amounts of short chain fatty acid in the cecum contents were significantly increased. These results suggests that since trehalose was completely digested in intestinal lumen, it did not show influence on calcium absorption