RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of diets with different types of fibres on Ca bioavailability and metabolic parameters in growing Wistar rats. Twenty four male Wistar rats were fed with 3 different diets: control (C), polydextrose (PD), and extruded whole maize (M) during a 60 day period. Apparent Ca absorption percentage (%Ca Abs), total skeleton bone mineral content (t BMC), total bone mineral density (t BMD), femur (F), spine (S) and tibia (T) BMD, cecum weight, and pH were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid (TG and cholesterol) contents in serum and liver were also evaluated. The results showed that rats fed with M and PD had the same cecum weight, but higher than that of C (1.53 ± 0.02 vs. 0.94 ± 0.01). There was moderate acidification of the cecal content in rats fed with M compared to C (pH 5.93 vs. 6.98) and the fecal weight was 1.06 ± 0.02, 3.07 ± 0.03 and 4.81 ± 0.05 for PD, M and C, respectively. There were significant differences in %Ca Abs between PD and C (87.57 ± 1.20 vs. 71.10 ± 1.11). The PD group had the highest values of F-BMD, S-BMD, and T-BMD, but there were no differences between M and C groups. Regarding lipids, there was a significant lowering effect in the M liver triglycerides content. Moreover, liver MDA levels significantly decreased with M and PD diets. The consumption of PD and grain fibres can exert some beneficial gastrointestinal effects such as lowering of the pH, hepatic TG and MDA content related to fibre colon fermentation.