Category Archives: Xylitol

Xylitol Improves Bone Strength, Elasticity, and Volume in Rats

Abstract

Improved bone biomechanical properties in rats after oral xylitol administration.

The effects of 5, 10, and 20% dietary xylitol supplementations on the biomechanical properties, histological architecture, and the contents of collagen, pyridinoline, and deoxypyridinoline in long bones of rats were studied. Tibiae were used for the three-point bending test, and femurs were used for the torsion and loading test of the femoral neck. The 10 and 20% oral xylitol administrations caused a significant increase of tibial stress, femoral shear stress, and stress of the femoral neck as compared with the controls. Parallel, but not significant, effects were also seen in the 5% xylitol supplementation group. No significant differences in strain or Young’s modulus of the tibiae were detected between the groups. An increased shear modulus of elasticity in femurs was detected in the 20% supplementation group as compared with the controls. The histomorphometrical data for the secondary spongiosa of the proximal tibia revealed that trabecular bone volume was significantly greater in all dietary xylitol supplementation groups as compared with the controls. The bone volume increased along with increasing xylitol content. No significant differences between the groups were detected concerning the amount of collagen per dry weight of organic matrix, the concentrations of pyridinoline or deoxypyridinoline in collagen, or the ratio of these crosslinks. This suggests no xylitol-dependent selective changes in these structures of bone collagen. In conclusion, dietary xylitol supplementation in rats improves the biomechanical properties of bone and increases the trabecular bone volume dose dependently.

Mattila P, Knuuttila M, Kovanen V, Svanberg M
Calcif. Tissue Int. Apr 1999
PMID: 10089228

Xylitol Improves Bone Strength in Rats

Abstract

Improved bone biomechanical properties in xylitol-fed aged rats.

Our previous studies have shown that dietary xylitol protects against weakening of bone biomechanical properties in experimental postmenopausal osteoporosis. To study whether xylitol preserves bone biomechanics also during aging, a long-term experimental study was performed with rats. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. The rats in the control group (NON-XYL group) were fed a basal rat and mouse no. 1 maintenance (RM1) diet, while the rats in the experimental group (XYL group) were continuously fed the same diet supplemented with 10% xylitol (wt/wt). The rats were killed after 20 months. Their femurs were prepared for biomechanical analyses and scanning analyses with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). In 3-point bending of the femoral diaphysis, maximum load, maximum elastic load, stiffness, energy absorption, elastic energy absorption, ultimate stress, and yield stress were significantly greater in the XYL group than in the NON-XYL group. This indicates a xylitol-induced improvement of both structural and material strength properties of cortical bone. Accordingly, the maximum load of femoral neck was significantly greater in the XYL group. In the pQCT analysis of femoral diaphysis, cortical bone area, cortical thickness (CtTh) periosteal circumference, and cross-sectional moment of inertia were greater in the XYL group. The endosteal circumference was smaller in the XYL group. In the pQCT analysis of the femoral neck cortical area of the midneck was significantly greater in the XYL group. This data indicates that xylitol exerted beneficial effects on the cross-sectional architecture of the bones. In conclusion, continuous moderate dietary xylitol supplementation leads to improved bone biomechanical properties in aged rats concerning both bone structural and material strength properties.

Mattila PT, Svanberg MJ, Jämsä T, Knuuttila ML
Metab. Clin. Exp. Jan 2002
PMID: 11782878

Xylitol + Alcohol > Xylitol Alone For Bone Resorption and Density in Rats

Abstract

The effect of a simultaneous dietary administration of xylitol and ethanol on bone resorption.

Our previous studies have shown that dietary xylitol supplementation diminishes bone resorption in rats, as well as protects against ovariectomy-induced increase of bone resorption during experimental osteoporosis. Interestingly, ethanol, when given simultaneously with xylitol, is known to increase blood concentration of xylitol. On the other hand, ethanol, when given alone, has been shown to increase bone resorption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a simultaneous dietary administration of 10% xylitol and 10% ethanol on bone resorption. Bone resorption was determined using measurement of urinary excretion of hydrogen 3 (3H) radioactivity in 3H-tetracycline prelabeled rats. Already 4 days after the beginning of dietary supplementations, excretion of 3H was about 15% lower in the xylitol group (diet supplemented with 10% xylitol) and about 25% lower in the xylitol-ethanol group (diet supplemented with 10% xylitol and 10% ethanol) as compared to the controls. The excretion of 3H in these groups remained smaller than that of the controls throughout the entire study period of 40 days. The excretion of 3 H in the xylitol-ethanol group remained also smaller than that of the xylitol group. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content were determined with a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) system from the rat tibiae at the end of the experiment. Trabecular bone mineral density and trabecular bone mineral content were significantly greater in the xylitol group and in the xylitol-ethanol group compared to the controls. They were also greater in the xylitol-ethanol group as compared to the xylitol group. Cortical bone mineral density and cortical bone mineral content did not differ significantly between the groups. In conclusion, a simultaneous dietary supplementation with 10% xylitol and 10% ethanol seems to diminish bone resorption and to increase trabecular bone mineral density and trabecular bone mineral content in rats. These effects seem to be stronger than the effects induced by 10% xylitol supplementation alone.

Mattila PT, Kangasmaa H, Knuuttila ML
Metab. Clin. Exp. Apr 2005
PMID: 15798965

Xylitol Protects Bone in Arthritic Rats

Abstract

Dietary xylitol protects against the imbalance in bone metabolism during the early phase of collagen type II-induced arthritis in dark agouti rats.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in bone metabolism during the early phase of type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats and to evaluate whether a 10% dietary xylitol supplementation is able to protect against these changes. Arthritis was induced in female dark agouti rats by injections of type II homologous rat collagen emulsified with an equal volume of incomplete Freund adjuvant. In one group, the diet was supplemented with 10% xylitol. After 17 days, the rats were killed. Serum osteocalcin, as a marker of bone formation, and serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, as a marker of bone resorption, were measured. Histologic measurements were made from Masson-Goldner trichrome-stained sections of distal tibiae. All the collagen-injected rats had arthritic symptoms at the end of the experiment. Serum osteocalcin was significantly higher in the collagen-injected rats fed a xylitol-supplemented diet (CI-X) than in the collagen-injected rats not fed xylitol (CI) and in the controls. Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was significantly higher in the CI and CI-X groups than in the controls. Trabecular bone volume was significantly lower in the CI group as compared with the CI-X and control groups. These results suggest that, at the time of the appearance of arthritic symptoms, bone resorption activity is high, but bone formation is not severely affected. Furthermore, dietary xylitol seems to protect against the imbalance of bone metabolism during the early phase of collagen type II-induced arthritis.

Kaivosoja SM, Mattila PT, Knuuttila ML
Metab. Clin. Exp. Aug 2008
PMID: 18640381

Xylitol Increases Bone Density in Rat Femur

Abstract

The effects of oral xylitol administration on bone density in rat femur.

To examine the effects of oral xylitol administration on rat femur bone density, 36 four-week-old male Wistar rats divided into three groups were fed CE-2 diet (control, n = 12) alone or supplemented with 10% (n = 12) or 20% (n = 12) dietary xylitol for 40 days. Biochemical, morphological, and histological analyses were performed. The 10% and 20% xylitol groups showed higher levels of both serum Ca and alkaline phosphatase activity and lower levels of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase than the control group. Although no significant differences in the three-dimensional bone structure or trabecular bone structure of the femur were observed, both xylitol groups showed significantly higher bone density than the control group. Compared to the control group, the 10% and 20% xylitol groups showed an increase in trabeculae. Thus, oral administration of xylitol appears to affect bone metabolism, leading to increased bone density in rat femur.

Sato H, Ide Y, Nasu M, Numabe Y
Odontology Jan 2011
PMID: 21271323

Xylitol Preserves Bone in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Dietary xylitol protects against weakening of bone biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of dietary xylitol (xyl) on bone biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rats (ovx) were studied. Forty-two 3-mo-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 14. Rats in two groups were ovariectomized, while those in the control group underwent a sham operation. All rats received a basal diet, and half of the ovx were given an additional 10 g/100 g dietary xyl supplementation. Three months later the rats were killed and their tibias, femurs and humeri were prepared. The tibias were used for analyses of bone density and trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and for the three-point bending test. The femurs were used for the torsion test and for the loading test of the femoral neck. The humeri were used for analyses of bone ash weight and bone concentrations of calcium and phosphorus. Dietary xyl gave a significant protection against ovariectomy-caused decline of tibial stress in the three-point bending test, of femoral shear stress in the torsion test, and of stress of the femoral neck, without affecting bone elasticity values. Xyl restricted the ovariectomy-caused reduction in bone density, in bone ash weight and in concentrations of bone calcium and phosphorus. Furthermore, trabecular bone loss in ovx was significantly suppressed by dietary xyl. These results indicate that a 10% dietary supplementation of xyl in ovx has a protective effect against the weakening of bone biomechanical properties. This is related to greater BV/TV and maintained bone mineral content.

Mattila PT, Svanberg MJ, Pökkä P, Knuuttila ML
J. Nutr. Oct 1998
PMID: 9772154 | Free Full Text

Xylitol Preserves Bone in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Dietary xylitol supplementation prevents osteoporotic changes in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The effects of 10% and 20% dietary xylitol supplementation on the biomechanical properties, trabeculation, and mineral content of long bones were studied in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Forty 3-month-old male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of 10. Rats in three groups were administered a single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight) to induce type I diabetes, while animals in the fourth group were given a sham injection of physiological saline. The sham-injected group and one of the streptozotocin-diabetic groups were fed the basal diet, while the two diabetic groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 10% and 20% xylitol (wt/wt). After 3 months, the rats were killed and the long bones were prepared for analysis. The 10% and 20% dietary xylitol supplementation significantly prevented the type I diabetes-induced decrease in the mechanical stress resistance of the tibia in the three-point bending test, the shear stress of the femur in the torsion test, and the stress resistance of the femoral neck in the loading test. No statistically significant differences were found between any groups in the values for strain or Young’s modulus in the three-point bending test, or in the values for the shear modulus of elasticity in the torsion test. These findings indicate that dietary xylitol protects against the weakening of the bone strength properties of both cortical and trabecular bone without affecting the elastic-plastic properties. Supplementation with 10% and 20% dietary xylitol significantly prevented the type I diabetes-induced decrease of humeral ash weight and tibial density. Histomorphometric data for the secondary spongiosa of the proximal tibia showed that 10% and 20% dietary xylitol supplementation also significantly prevented the type I diabetes-induced loss of trabecular bone volume. In conclusion, dietary xylitol supplementation protects against the weakening of bone biomechanical properties in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. This is related to the preserved bone mineral content and preserved trabecular bone volume.

Mattila PT, Knuuttila ML, Svanberg MJ
Metab. Clin. Exp. May 1998
PMID: 9591750

Xylitol, Sorbitol, and D-Mannitol Retard Bone Resorption in Rats

Abstract

Dietary xylitol, sorbitol and D-mannitol but not erythritol retard bone resorption in rats.

The aim of the present study was to compare the ability of four dietary polyols to reduce bone resorption. Urinary excretion of 3H radioactivity from [3H]tetracycline-prelabeled rats was used as a marker of bone resorption. After prelabeling, the rats were divided randomly into five groups of 10, and fed for 1 mo a nonpurified diet that was supplemented in four groups with either xylitol, sorbitol, D-mannitol or erythritol, respectively, to give a polyol concentration of 1 mol/kg. Xylitol (42%), sorbitol (44%) and to a lesser degree D-mannitol (23%) decreased the excretion of 3H relative to the basal diet. The erythritol group, however, did not differ from the controls. Sorbitol caused continuous diarrhea, whereas in the other groups, intestinal adaptation took place during the 1st wk of polyol feeding. In conclusion, dietary xylitol, sorbitol and to a lesser degree D-mannitol supplementations in rats retard bone resorption, whereas dietary erythritol has no effect.

Mattila PT, Svanberg MJ, Mäkinen KK, Knuuttila ML
J. Nutr. Jul 1996
PMID: 8683349 | Free Full Text

Xylitol May Help Gain Bone Calcium and Maintain Serum Citric Acid in Rats

Abstract

Citric acid concentration compared to serum parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2D3 and calcitonin during dietary Ca deficiency and rehabilitation enhanced with xylitol in rats.

Young male Wistar rats were fed on a Ca-deficient diet for 3 weeks, after which dietary Ca was restored with either CaCO3 or CaCO3 + xylitol (5% per weight). Citric acid, Ca, Mg, Zn and P were determined in the tibia and femur at the beginning and after 2 and 4 weeks of rehabilitation, and serum and urinary citric acid and serum 1,25(OH)2D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin were measured at the same points in time. The diminished bone Ca (p < 0.001) after 3 weeks of deficiency did not reduce the bone citric acid concentration, although serum citrate increased markedly. Simultaneously the serum 1,25(OH)2D3 concentration more than doubled and PTH increased (p < 0.01). Rehabilitation with CaCO3 + xylitol reduced the 1,25(OH)2D3 concentration to below the control level (p < 0.05), while serum citric acid remained elevated. CaCO3 alone normalized the elevated hormone and citric acid levels in the serum. Dietary CaCO3 and CaCO3 + xylitol normalized the PTH concentration equally well. The gain in bone Ca after 4 weeks of rehabilitation was significantly greater when xylitol was added compared with CaCO3 alone (p < 0.05). Only the 4-week CaCO3 + xylitol group attained the bone Ca concentration of the controls. Xylitol supplementation seems to affect the serum citric acid concentration independent of 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH concentrations. The elevated citric acid concentration could be associated with increasing bone Ca.

Svanberg M, Knuuttila M, Hämäläinen M
Miner Electrolyte Metab 1993
PMID: 8377724

Xylitol Mainly Affects New Bone in Rats

Abstract

The effect of dietary xylitol on recalcifying and newly formed cortical long bone in rats.

Thirty-six 3-week-old male Wistar rats were labeled with a single intraperitoneal tetracycline injection. Twenty-four of them were then fed a Ca-deficient basal diet for 3 weeks, while the control group received the basal diet supplemented with CaCO3 (12 g/kg). The tetracycline labeling was then repeated and six animals in each group were decapitated. The diet of the remaining formerly Ca-deficient animals was returned to normal, and half the test rats also received xylitol supplementation (50 g/kg). After 4 weeks of rehabilitation the labeling was repeated and the animals were decapitated and their tibias were prepared. The tibias were measured in terms of weight and density and cross sections were prepared for the examination of mineral content. Bone element analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy with electron-probe microanalysis, examining separately the bone areas formed during the various dietary periods. Areas of the former Ca-deficient and newly formed cortical bone were identified by tetracycline fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and the amount of cortical bone in each group was measured. The mineralization-promoting effect of dietary xylitol as compared with CaCO3 supplementation alone was seen more clearly in the newly formed periosteal bone than in remineralization of the formerly Ca-deficient bone, the concentrations of Ca and P being significantly elevated (P < 0.05), as also was the total mineral content (P < 0.01). The cortical bone volume was similar following the CaCO3 and CaCO3 + xylitol supplementations, suggesting unaltered formation of the organic matrix. The results show that the effect of xylitol on bone during dietary Ca rehabilitation particularly concerns newly formed bone mineral.

Svanberg M, Knuuttila M
Calcif. Tissue Int. Aug 1993
PMID: 8402322