| Dietary xylitol in the prevention of experimental osteoporosis. Beneficial effects on bone resorption, structure and biomechanics | ||
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To attain the aims of the study, the following results were gained:
Dietary xylitol supplementation reduced significantly the rate of bone resorption in healthy rats. The effect was achieved when using xylitol concentrations of 10 and 20%, but not when using a 5% concentration. The effect was detected already after two days, and it was maintained throughout the experimental period of one month.
Dietary supplementation of 1M xylitol, 1M sorbitol, and to a less degree 1M D-mannitol reduced the rate of bone resorption. However, bone resorption rate was not affected by 1M erythritol. As distinct from xylitol, sorbitol administration caused continuous diarrhea, and D-mannitol and erythritol caused diuresis.
Dietary xylitol supplementation (10%) protected significantly against the ovariectomy-induced increase of bone resorption during experimental osteoporosis.
Dietary xylitol supplementation (5, 10 and 20%) increased significantly the trabecular bone volume in healthy rats. A greater increase was attained with an increased xylitol concentration.
Dietary xylitol supplementation (10%) protected significantly against the ovariectomy-induced decreases of bone density, bone ash weight, bone calcium and phosphorus concentrations, and of the amounts of bone collagen and its crosslinks. Accordingly, the decrease of the trabecular bone volume was significantly prevented during experimental osteoporosis.
Dietary xylitol supplementation (10 and 20 %) increased the strength properties of long bones in healthy rats, without affecting the bone elastic properties.
Dietary xylitol supplementation (10%) protected significantly against the ovariectomy-induced weakening of the bone biomechanical properties during experimental osteoporosis.
In conclusion, the above results further strongly support the hypothesis that the oral administration of xylitol protects effectively against the progression of experimental osteoporosis. Although other sugar alcohols share some properties, when their accurate effects and side effects are taken into account, xylitol seems to be superior to the other polyols studied. Dietary xylitol supplementation was effective both in increasing bone mass of healthy rats, and in preventing bone loss of ovariectomized rats. This suggests a favorable effect of xylitol on both main targets in the prevention of osteoporosis. As dietary xylitol was effective also in protecting against the experimental osteoporosis-caused changes in bone structure and weakening of bone biomechanical properties, oral xylitol administration seems to provide interesting possibilities in the search for new physiological choices for the prevention of osteoporosis.