The lack of effect of synthetic phosphoseryl peptide on calcium absorption by the rat

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to test in vivo the effect on calcium absorption of synthetic phosphoseryl peptide (SPP), which occurs in bovine casein. Twenty-one male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups and fed 3 diets for 4 weeks: diet 1, SAP (soy assay protein), diet 2, SAP+SPP and diet 3, NFDM (non-fat dry milk powder). All diets contained 0.3% Ca and 0.4% P, the source of calcium in diets 1 and 2 being CaCO 3 and milk powder in diet 3. During the last week the apparent absorption of calcium was determined. At the end, the right femur was taken from each animal. Diets, feces and femurs were analysed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. The addition of SPP did not have any effect on calcium absorption from the SAP diet. Apparent calcium absorption from the NFDM diet (96%) was significantly higher than that from the SAP diets (84, 87%) but there was no difference in femur calcium. The tested compound [Ser (P)] 3-Glu (SPP) did not have any effect on the absorption or on the femur content of phosphorus, magnesium or manganese. The results of this study point out the need for confirming the results of intestinal loop studies by an in vivo experiment.