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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Live Calcium Imaging of Virus-Infected Human Intestinal Organoid Monolayers Using Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators
Published on: January 19, 2024
Recent developments in intestinal calcium absorption.
1The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-6125, USA. bronner@neuron.uchc.edu
Adequate calcium intake is crucial for bone health, as it primarily drives calcium absorption. While Vitamin D influences calcium transport, high dietary calcium intake is the most effective strategy for absorption and preventing bone loss.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional science
- Physiology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Calcium absorption occurs via transcellular and paracellular pathways.
- Vitamin D regulates transcellular calcium transport through specific proteins.
- Recent research questions the significance of these Vitamin D-dependent mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functional importance of the calcium channel and calbindinD(9k) in mice.
- To integrate new findings with existing knowledge on calcium transport.
- To understand the role of these molecules in overall calcium economy.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing knockout mouse models.
- Analyzing calcium transport mechanisms.
- Assessing calcium economy under varying dietary conditions.
Main Results:
- Paracellular flux accounts for most calcium absorption when intake is adequate.
- Transcellular transport contributes minimally to absorption during high calcium intake.
- The functional importance of the calcium channel and calbindinD(9k) is re-evaluated in light of new data.
Conclusions:
- High dietary calcium intake is the most effective nutritional strategy for ensuring adequate calcium absorption.
- Increasing calcium intake is recommended for preventing bone loss.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of specific transport proteins.
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