Naringin prevents the inhibition of intestinal Ca absorption induced by a fructose rich diet.

This study tries to elucidate the mechanisms by which fructose rich diets (FRD) inhibit the rat intestinal Ca absorption, and determine if any or all underlying alterations are prevented by naringin (NAR). Male rats were divided into: 1) controls, 2) treated with FRD, 3) treated with FRD and NAR. The intestinal Ca absorption and proteins of the transcellular and paracellular Ca pathways were measured. Oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation parameters were evaluated. FRD rats showed inhibition of the intestinal Ca absorption and decrease in the protein expression of molecules of both Ca pathways, which were blocked by NAR. FRD rats showed an increase in the superoxide anion, a decrease in the glutathione and in the enzymatic activities of the antioxidant system, as well as an increase in the NO content and in the nitrotyrosine content of proteins. They also exhibited an increase in both IL-6 and nuclear NF-κB. All these changes were prevented by NAR. In conclusion, FRD inhibit both pathways of the intestinal Ca absorption due to the oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation. Since NAR prevents the oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation, it might be a drug to avoid alteration in the intestinal Ca absorption caused by FRD.