Effect of acetate and propionate on calcium absorption from the rectum and distal colon of humans

To determine the effects of acetate and propionate on calcium absorption from the human distal colon and rectum, six healthy human subjects were given rectal infusions containing 50 mmol CaCl2/L on four separate occasions. Addition of 56.3 mmol acetate/L, 18.7 mmol propionate/L, or acetate and propionate together increased calcium disappearance (expressed as the change in the ratio of calcium to polyethylene glycol) from -5.5 +/- 1.4 to -22.6 +/- 2.8, -23.2 +/- 3.2, and -19.7 +/- 4.6, respectively; P < 0.05. To determine the effects of different acetate and propionate concentrations, six different subjects were studied further. The effects of 18.7 or 56.3 mmol acetate/L on calcium absorption were the same as those of 18.7 mmol propionate/L (-15.7 +/- 1.4), and less than those of 56.3 mmol propionate/L (-20.3 +/- 2.4, P < 0.05). We conclude that both acetate and propionate enhance calcium absorption from the human distal colon, but that propionate has a greater effect at higher concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of calcium absorption from the colon.