Dietary fructose inhibits intestinal calcium absorption and induces vitamin D insufficiency in CKD.

Renal disease leads to perturbations in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and vitamin D metabolism. Dietary fructose aggravates chronic kidney disease (CKD), but whether it also worsens CKD-induced derangements in calcium and phosphate homeostasis is unknown. Here, we fed rats diets containing 60% glucose or fructose for 1 mo beginning 6 wk after 5/6 nephrectomy or sham operation.

Luminal fructose inhibits rat intestinal sodium-phosphate cotransporter gene expression and phosphate uptake.

Background: While searching by microarray for sugar-responsive genes, we inadvertently discovered that sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2B (NaPi-2b) mRNA concentrations were much lower in fructose-perfused than in glucose-perfused intestines of neonatal rats. Changes in NaPi-2b mRNA abundance by sugars were accompanied by similar changes in NaPi-2b protein abundance and in rates of inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that luminal fructose regulates NaPi-2b.

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors prevent diet-induced increases in intestinal sugar transport in diabetic mice.

The recommended diet for diabetes mellitus is rich in complex carbohydrates. We have previously shown that high carbohydrate levels in the intestinal lumen induce adaptive increases in sugar absorption which in turn exacerbate postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) hinder digestion of complex carbohydrates and therefore alleviate postprandial glycemic excursions.

Role of the small intestine in postpartum weight retention in mice.

Background: Approximately 25% of women retain 5 kg of the weight gained during pregnancy, but the physiologic factors underlying excessive postpartum weight gain are not known.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether pregnancy-related adaptive increases in intestinal nutrient transport are retained after parturition and therefore contribute to postpartum weight gain.

Design: We measured body weight and intestinal nutrient transport in virgin (V, control), primiparous (P, one pregnancy), and multiparous (M, 3 pregnancies) mice at parturition (day 1), during lactation (days 14 and 21), at weaning (day 28), after weaning (day 40), and during aging (days 70, 120, 200, and 300).