Abstract
Feed containing 0.7% 4G-β-D-galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose, LS), a non-digestible oligosaccharide, was given to weanling rats aged 4 to 12 weeks to investigate the effects of LS ingestion on bone. During the test period of ingestion, the quantity of feed ingested and the amount of weight gain did not differ between the LS group and the control group. In addition, there were no abnormalities of fecal quality such as diarrhea due to administration of LS. During the period of LS ingestion, the femoral and tibial cancellous area was significantly greater in the LS group than in the control group. Tibial cancellous cartilage area after 4, 5, and 8 weeks of LS ingestion was significantly greater in the LS group than in the control group (p<0.05). During week 6 of LS ingestion, the breaking force of the femur and tibia was significantly better in the LS group than in the control group. Femoral and tibial calcium content and lumbosacral bone mineral density as measured by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DEXA) were significantly higher in the LS group than in the control group. However, calcium metabolism-related parameters such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) showed no significant changes. The above findings suggest that LS ingestion moderately stimulates osteogenesis and helps to maintain bone strength.
