Effect of vitamin D deficiency on urinary excretion of connective tissue derivatives (hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycans) in rats.

The urinary excretion of two connective tissue metabolites was studied in both control and vitamin D deficient rats. Hydroxyproline (HyPRO) excretion was determined after 2, 13 and 22 months (experiment I). It decreased with aging in animals receiving the control diet.

[Effects of soluble carbohydrates from several tropical foods (cassava, peanuts, coconut and papaya) on calcium utilization in the rat].

Ethanolic extracts containing soluble sugars were prepared from four foods : cassava, peanut, coconut and papaye. Six-month-old rats were given by stomach tube 10 mM CaCl2 solution (+ 45Ca) containing a carbohydrate. Depending on the group, the carbohydrate was glucose or melibiose or raffinose at 200 mM concentration, or one ethanolic extract.

[Relations between the phosphorylation of aminated molecules and their action on the absorption of calcium].

Various amino acids and guanidines (L-lysine, L-aspartic and L-glutamic acids, creatine, taurocyamine and glycocyamine), studied in ileal ligated loops, increased intestinal calcium absorption in the rat. L-arginine was effective per os. Since these compounds are highly phosphorylable, a phosphorylation mechanism may be involved in the stimulation of calcium absorption.

[Action of soluble carbohydrates from avocado (Persea gratissima Gaertner) fruit on utilization of calcium in the rat].

Ethanolic extract containing soluble sugars was prepared from avocados (variety americana) coming from Madagascar. In this extract, thin layer and paper chromatography showed the presence of a ketoheptose, the mannoheptulose, in amount of 0.1 g/ml extract or 1.