Effects of yeast protein on the promotion of intestinal calcium absorption (in vivo/in vitro) and bone formation (in vivo) in rats fed by normal and low-calcium diets.

Currently, calcium deficiency and osteoporosis are public health issues worldwide. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of yeast protein (YP) on calcium absorption and bone formation in rats fed by normal and low-calcium diets. The results showed that YP could significantly improve serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels, apparent calcium absorption and retention rate, bone calcium content and bone biomechanical properties of rats fed normal diet (P < 0.05). In the calcium-deficient rat model, intestinal calcium absorption, bone length, bone mechanical strength, bone calcium content and markers of bone formation were significantly improved by the dietary intervention of YP + CaCO3 (P < 0.05). YP primarily relies on its good in vitro calcium chelation and in vivo calcium sustained release to promote calcium absorption and bone synthesis. Overall, YP as a dietary factor could effectively improve calcium absorption and bone synthesis.