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Alterations in Electrolyte and Iron Metabolism in the Rat in Relation to Peroral Administration of Galactitol, Mannitol and Xylitol¹

Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, SF-20520 Turku, Finland ^* School of Dentistry, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Groups of 12 Long-Evans male rats were exposed to diets containing 20% galactitol (G), mannitol (M) or xylitol (X) for 5 wk. Serum electrolyte concentrations were within normal ranges for rats in all groups compared to control rats. All polyol-fed animals exhibited diuresis and a lower urinary pH (6.2-5.3) with a concomitant lower excretion of Na⁺, Cl^- and protein (40% of controls). The excretion of K⁺ was lower in the X-fed rats than in any other group. Urinary Ca²⁺ excretion was sixfold higher and Mg²⁺ excretion, twofold higher in all polyol-fed rats than in controls. PO₄ and NH₄⁺ excretions were higher than controls in G- and M-fed animals only. Serum aldosterone concentrations in all polyol rats were 60% of those in controls. The serum corticosterone and parathyroid hormone levels were normal. Urinary citric acid was significantly higher in rats fed polyols but oxalic acid excretion was either normal (X) or lower (G, M) than in controls. Concentrations of serum and liver iron were higher in polyol-fed rats than in controls. Nevertheless, the normal serum creatinine and electrolyte concentrations and normal urinary creatinine levels established healthy kidney function. The diuretic effect of the polyols was considered responsible for the changes in the monovalent ion metabolism. The alterations in the excretion of multivalent cations most likely resulted from their increased intestinal absorption facilitated by the general chelating action of these polyols.

KEY WORDS: • xylitol • galactitol • mannitol • electrolytes • calcium absorption • aldosterone • urine acidification • diuresis

¹ M. M. H. wishes to thank the Nutritional Research Foundation of the Finnish Sugar Co. for financial aid, and Immuno Nuclear Corp. for material support.

Manuscript received 13 March 1985. Revision accepted 27 November 1985.