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Electrolyte transport responses to secretagogues in neonatal versus adult rabbit jejunum.

The ability of the neonatal and adult rabbit jejunum to respond to different exogenous stimuli of electrolyte transport was investigated in vitro. When mounted in Ussing chambers, jejunum from neonatal rabbits exhibited a higher basal short circuit current and lower potential difference compared to jejunum from adult rabbits. As a result, basal conductance was approximately 50% higher in the neonatal group. When the tissue was subjected to electrical field stimulation, neonatal jejunum was significantly less responsive to stimulation with respect to change in short circuit current, particularly at submaximal stimulus strength and stimulus duration. The neonatal jejunum was less responsive than adult jejunum to exogenous application of prostaglandin E2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and more responsive to histamine. There was no significant difference in the responses to carbachol, epinephrine, leukotriene D4 or platelet-activating factor. The neonatal rabbit jejunum exhibited a greater capacity to synthesize prostaglandin E2 and the peptidoleukotrienes, and had a higher tissue content of 5-hydroxytryptamine than the adult rabbit jejunum.

Animals↗

[A study of the difference in intestinal adaptation between the residual jejunum and the ileum in rats with short bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVES: Controversy remains regarding which residual segment, namely the jejunum or ileum, is more beneficial for intestinal adaptation in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). The aim of our study is to evaluate the residual intestinal adaptation after a massive small intestinal resection and thereby determine which of the two residual segments demonstrates a better intestinal adaptation. METHODS: The SBS rats underwent about a 70% resection of either the jejunum or ileum, respectively. Sham rats underwent an ileal transection with a subsequent reanastomosis of the same portion. The body weight was measured every day after the operation. Two weeks after the operation, all rats were sacrificed. The intestinal length, the hematological and serum chemical data, and the histological findings of the residual intestine were investigated in all rats to evaluate the intestinal adaptation. RESULTS: The body weight gain in the rats with the residual ileum (ileum group) was similar to that of the Sham group and better than that of the rats with residual jejunum (jejunum group). The length of the residual intestines in the jejunum group was longer than that in both the sham and ileum groups. Regarding hematological and serum chemical studies, the jejunum group tended to demonstrate more anemia and malnutrition than both the sham and ileum groups. In a histological study, the villous height in both the jejunum and ileum groups was significantly larger than in the preoperative condition. In both groups, the degree of crypt depth only significantly increased in the ileum group in comparison to the preoperative condition. Regarding the thickness of the muscular layers, a no difference was observed among all groups. CONCLUSION: Based on our data, in patients with SBS, the use of the residual ileum was therefore found to be preferable to that of the residual jejunum regarding intestinal adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The endoscopic transilluminator: an endoscopic device for identification of the proximal jejunum for transgastric endoscopic gastrojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: Localization of the proximal jejunum is important for creation of gastrojejunal anastomosis to palliate gastric outlet obstruction or for treatment of obesity with gastric bypass. OBJECTIVE: To facilitate identification of the proximal jejunum during transgastric endoscopic gastrojejunostomy with the use of an endoscopic transilluminator (ET). DESIGN AND SETTING: Acute experiments in a live porcine model. INTERVENTIONS: The ET is a 3500-mm long, 6F radio-opaque tube with a fiberoptic core that lights up at its distal end. When situated in the intestinal lumen, it transilluminates the bowel wall. With the animal under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, a colonoscope was advanced to the proximal jejunum. A plastic tube (3500-mm long, 3.5 mm in diameter) was passed through the biopsy channel and placed into the small bowel. The colonoscope was withdrawn, leaving the tube in place. The ET was introduced into the jejunum through the tube. A gastric wall incision was made and the endoscope was advanced to the peritoneal cavity. The transilluminated loop of the proximal jejunum was identified and gastrojejunal anastomosis was made by use of a previously reported endoscopic technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Identification of the proximal jejunum. RESULTS: Eleven pigs (average weight 55 kg) had ET placement. In all of the pigs, placement of the ET was performed easily to the proximal small bowel, and the proximal jejunum was successfully localized by either direct visualization of the transilluminated loop only or with the aid of fluoroscopy. The tip of the ET was usually located about 50 to 70 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz. There were no complications related to the use of ET. LIMITATIONS: The device has not yet been evaluated in humans. CONCLUSIONS: The ET is a safe instrument and can be used to identify the proximal jejunum to facilitate endoscopic gastrojejunostomy.

Animals↗

Water transport in native and transplanted porcine jejunum.

Adequate absorptive function of transplanted small intestine is essential for success of this procedure. This study compared water transport under basal and meal stimulated conditions in the transplanted swine jejunum to native jejunum. Six female adolescent Yorkshire swine were randomized to undergo construction of either a 25-cm native proximal jejunal Thiry-Vella Fistula (TVF), n=3, or a 25-cm proximal jejunal allograft TVF, n=3. Immunosuppression in the transplanted animals was accomplished with intravenous methylprednisolone, azathioprine, and cyclosporin. Jejunal absorption studies, each 4 hr long, were performed utilizing 14C-polyethylene glycol to calculate net water flux. Each animal underwent at least three fasting and three postprandial studies. New water flux was negative, i.e., secretory, in both the native and transplanted proximal swine jejunum. In the basal state, integrated hourly water transport was more secretory in the native bowel vs the transplanted bowel during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th experimental hr (-4.6 +/- .8 vs -2.1 +/- .7 cc, P = 0.034; -4.4 +/- .7 vs -1.8 +/- .6 cc, P = 0.012; and -4.7 vs 1.3 +/- .5 cc, P < 0.005), respectively. In native jejunum, integrated hourly water transport was less secretory 2 and 3 hr postprandially compared to basal (-1.9 +/- .5 vs -4.4 +/- .7 cc, P = 0.016; and -2.0 +/- .5 vs -4.7 +/- .7 cc, P = 0.021), respectively. This postprandial proabsorptive response did not occur in the transplanted jejunum. Native and transplanted jejunal water flux in the postprandial state did not differ significantly. We conclude that there is higher secretion in native vs transplanted jejunum during fasting. The postprandial proabsorptive response of the proximal porcine jejunum is abolished by transplantation.

Animals↗

Roles of the jejunum and ileum in the first-pass effect as absorptive barriers for orally administered tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: The immunosuppressant tacrolimus shows poor and variable bioavailability following oral administration in clinical use. Recently, the hepatic and intestinal metabolisms, or first-pass effect, of tacrolimus have been suggested to be responsible for its bioavailability. In the present study, we investigated the respective contribution of the jejunum and ileum to the first-pass effect of tacrolimus in rats. METHODS: The metabolism of tacrolimus in everted sacs of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was examined. Tacrolimus was administered intravenously or intraintestinally to sham-operated, jejunum-resected, or ileum-resected rats. Blood samples were collected over a 240-min period, and whole-blood tacrolimus concentrations were measured by semiautomated microparticle enzyme immunoassay. The pharmacokinetic parameters of tacrolimus in each group were estimated. RESULTS: The metabolic activity of tacrolimus appeared to be the highest in the everted sacs of the duodenum. The bioavailability of tacrolimus in the jejunum- or ileum-resected rats was higher than that in sham-operated controls. On the other hand, the time to peak concentration in the jejunum-resected rats was about twofold slower than those in ileum-resected and sham-operated rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the first-pass effect of tacrolimus in the small intestine shows regional differences and the extraction of tacrolimus in the small intestine consists of the amount of extraction in the jejunum and ileum. In addition, the ileum rather than the jejunum as a graft of segmental small bowel transplantation would be useful to avoid the adverse effects of tacrolimus.

Administration, Oral↗

Age-related changes in the reactivity of the rat jejunum to cholinoceptor agonists.

The contractile effects of barium, potassium, acetylcholine and acetyl-beta-methylcholine were studied in jejunum of 4, 12 and 20 month-old rats. The effects of age on the sensitivity and responsiveness of the jejunum to the agonists were examined using cumulative dose administration and measuring the pD2. The maximum contraction produced by the agonists and the sensitivity to barium and potassium were not modified by aging. In the middle-aged animals, the jejunum sensitivity to acetylcholine decreased while the sensitivity to acetyl-beta-methylcholine was not statistically different from that of 4 month-old rats. Since at this age (12 months) the acetylcholinesterase activity increased, the reduction in the sensitivity to acetylcholine could have been due to the increase in the activity of the metabolizing enzyme. Otherwise, in the jejunum from the older animals the sensitivity for both cholinoceptor agonists, acetylcholine and acetyl-beta-methylcholine, increased 5-fold when compared with the middle-aged animals. However, compared with the jejunum of 4 month-old rats the sensitivity to acetylcholine, to 20 month-old animals, was not altered while the sensitivity to acetyl-beta-methylcholine was increased. At this age (20 months), the jejunum acetylcholinesterase activity was increased when compared with that of 4 month-old rats and was not modified when compared with that of 12 month-old rats. The change in supersensitivity to cholinoceptor agonists could not have been due to an alteration in muscarinic receptor affinity, since the pA2 for atropine was not modified with increasing age. These results suggest that after an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity around month 12, the jejunum develops an adaptative supersensitivity to cholinoceptor agonists.

Acetylcholine↗

Sensorial and intestinointestinal reflex pathways in the human jejunum.

Using an intestinal barostat that maintains a constant pressure within an air-filled bag (12 cm long), the authors have previously shown reflex changes in intestinal tone induced by distention. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity and the responsiveness to such reflexes along the jejunum. Eight healthy volunteers were studied using two barostats operating simultaneously in the proximal and the distal jejunum (located 10 cm and 52 cm caudad to the ligament of Treitz, respectively). With one barostat, standardized distentions (1 minute duration at 10-minute intervals in 4-mm Hg increments) were produced; with the other barostat, intestinal tone was measured as volumetric variations at constant pressure. Perception was scored (0-6) by a questionnaire. The proximal jejunum relaxed in response to distention of the distal jejunum (mean +/- SE, 40% + 7% delta vol; 5.1 + 0.1 perception score at the threshold for discomfort; P less than 0.05 for both). In contrast, the distal jejunum did not respond to distention of the proximal jejunum, whereas the perception scores were similar (10% +/- 5% delta vol; 5.1 +/- 0.1 perception score). Thus, the responsiveness of the proximal jejunum to intestinointestinal reflexes fades distally, whereas intestinal sensitivity to distention remains uniform.

Adult↗

Adaptive changes of intestinal cellular retinol-binding protein, type II following jejunum-bypass operation in the rat.

To examine whether the amount of intestinal cellular retinol-binding protein, type II (CRBP(II)) exhibits an adaptive change in a shortened jejunum, the distal end of 5-cm proximal-jejunal segment of 2-mth-old rats was joined to the proximal end of the ileum by an end-to-end anastomosis (jejunum-bypass operation). Three weeks after the operation, the amounts of CRBP(II) in proximal jejunum, proximal ileum and distal ileum were determined using a monospecific antiserum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The jejunum-bypass operation led to a 2-fold increase in the total amounts of CRBP(II) in proximal ileum where hyperplasia occurred; this elevation was in parallel to the increase of total proteins and DNA contents. in the proximal jejunum preceding the bypassed segment, the CRBP(II) level per unit DNA increased by 80%. The jejunum-bypass operation changed neither hepatic total retinol content, nor serum concentrations of retinol and retinol binding protein as compared with the sham-operation, suggesting that retinol absorption was elevated in the shortened small intestine. These results suggest that the increase in CRBP(II) content following jejunum-bypass might be an adaptive response to an enhancement of retinol absorption.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Postprandial augmentation of absorption of water and electrolytes in jejunum is neurally modulated: implications for segmental small bowel transplantation.

Postprandial augmentation of absorption of water and electrolytes is believed to occur in the jejunum. Neural mechanisms of control, however, have not been studied in the in situ jejunum or in the transplanted bowel. The aim of this study was to determine if postprandial augmentation of absorption occurs in the in situ jejunum and to evaluate neural mechanisms controlling postprandial jejunal absorption. Based on our previous work, we hypothesized that postprandial augmentation of absorption does not occur in the jejunum in situ and that extrinsic denervation of the jejunum is associated with decreased postprandial absorption. Absorption was studied in an 80 cm, in situ jejunal segment in six dogs by using an isosmolar electrolyte solution alone, or with 80 mmol/L glucose before and after jejunal transection to disrupt intrinsic neural continuity of the study segment with the remaining gut. Net absorptive fluxes of water and electrolytes were measured in the fasted state and after a 400-kcal meal. Another six dogs were studied 3 weeks after our validated model of extrinsic denervation of jejunoileum; identical fasting and postprandial absorptive states were evaluated. Postprandial augmentation of absorption of water and electrolytes did occur in the jejunum (P < 0.03) both in the absence and in the presence of intraluminal glucose. After intrinsic neural transection or extrinsic denervation, no postprandial augmentation of absorption occurred, with or without glucose. Postprandial augmentation of absorption of water and electrolytes occurs in the in situ jejunum. Disrupting intrinsic neural continuity or extrinsic denervation (as after intestinal transplantation) abolishes postprandial augmentation.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

The development of jejunum and ileum during the fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, the morphologic structures of the jejunum and ileum sections of small intestine were investigated in human fetuses during the fetal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was realised on 131 human fetuses (male: 69; female: 62) with ages between 10 and 40 weeks, which have got no external pathology and anomalies. The external sizes of fetuses were measured, and then the structures in the abdominal cavity were determined by the abdominal dissection. The localization of jejunum and ileum, duodenojejunal flexure and ileal orifice points, the measurements of macroscopic diameters, types of the mass of jejunum and ileum and the localization according to the abdominal regions of the mass of jejunum and ileum were determined. Also, the samples of the jejunum and ileum were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. The thickness of tunica serosa, tunica muscularis and tunica mucosa was determined under the light microscope. RESULTS: According to the sexes, gestational ages and groups, the averages and the standard deviations of the all parameters were determined. The correlations between the parameters were determined. The percentage of parameters was compared according to sex and among groups. No differences were found in parameters between sexes (p<0.05). The macroscopic parameters were increased according to the gestational age. The thickness of tunica serosa did not change according to the gestational age. CONCLUSION: It is thought that the data we have will help the evaluation of jejunum and ileum in intrauterine period; we also believe that the data in our study may help in the diagnosis and treatment of anomalies and pathologies in fetal period that belongs to jejunum and ileum.

Female↗

Evidence of degradation process of sucrase-isomaltase in jejunum of adult rats.

To evaluate degradation processes of sucrase-isomaltase in adult rat jejunum, we determined enzymic activity of sucrase and isomaltase and compared it with the amount of immunoreactive sucrase-isomaltase. In rats fed or starved for 18h, killed at 10:00 h or 22:00 h, sucrase activity (expressed on the basis of total protein or of immunoreactive sucrase-isomaltase) was significantly (P less than 0.02) lower in the lower jejunum than in the upper jejunum; isomaltase activity was similar in both segments. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated the existence of a second sucrase-isomaltase antigen reacting with anti-(sucrase-isomaltase) serum. This antigen was present in larger amounts in the lower jejunum than in the upper jejunum, exhibited immunological partial identity with the intact sucrase-isomaltase, and had isomaltase activity but no sucrase activity. Results suggest that this antigen is a degradation product of sucrase-isomaltase in which the sucrase active site has been broken down. To examine the role of pancreatic enzymes in degradation of sucrase-isomaltase, common pancreatico-biliary ducts were ligated. Within 18 h after the operation, the difference of sucrase activity between the upper and the lower jejunum disappeared and the amount of the second sucrase-isomaltase antigen markedly decreased in the lower jejunum. Our results indicate that, during the degradation of intestinal sucrase-isomaltase by the pancreatic proteinases, degradation of the sucrase active site precedes that of the isomaltase active site.

Animals↗

Characterization of degradation process of sucrase-isomaltase in rat jejunum with monoclonal-antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

As shown previously, during degradation of sucrase-isomaltase in rat jejunum, degradation of the sucrase active site occurs before that of isomaltase active site [Goda & Koldovský (1985) Biochem. J. 229, 751-758]. To characterize further the process of sucrase-isomaltase degradation in jejunum, we determined the amounts of immunoreactive sucrase-isomaltase in rat jejunum by using a monoclonal-antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By employing two alternative monoclonal antibodies (one reacting with the sucrase subunit and the other reacting with the isomaltase subunit), the amount of antigen-containing sucrase subunit and the amount of antigen-containing isomaltase subunit were separately quantified. In both upper and lower jejunum of rats, the amount of antigen-containing isomaltase subunit was always higher than the amount of antigen-containing sucrase subunit. This difference was attributable mainly to a degradation product of sucrase-isomaltase, which was identified as isomaltase monomer. Occlusion of pancreatic ducts for 18 h eliminated the difference between the amount of antigen-containing sucrase subunit and the amount of antigen-containing isomaltase subunit in both upper and lower jejunum. In jejunum of control animals, the molar ratio of sucrase subunit to isomaltase subunit was estimated to be 0.32-0.52, indicating that quite a large proportion of sucrase-isomaltase (48-68%) is present as degradation products (e.g. isomaltase monomer). These results support the model of degradation process of sucrase-isomaltase in brush-border membranes of rat jejunum, whereby degradation of sucrase subunit by the action of pancreatic proteinase(s) precedes degradation of isomaltase subunit.

Animals↗

Intestinal absorption of bile acids in the rabbit: different transport rates in jejunum and ileum.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A direct comparison of jejunal and ileal absorption rates of bile acids has not been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the relative transport rates of different bile acids in the jejunum and ileum. METHODS: Jejunal and ileal rabbit intestinal segments were separately perfused with bile acid solutions, and dose-response curves were obtained for taurocholate, ursodeoxycholate, chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate, and their glycoconjugates. Membrane fluidity and bile acid transport were assessed in brush border membrane vesicles. RESULTS: Taurocholate showed active transport in the ileum and no transport in the jejunum. Unconjugated bile acids showed passive diffusion in the two tracts, whereas glycoconjugated bile acids showed both components of transport in the ileum and passive diffusion in the jejunum (lower in the latter). A higher membrane fluidity and lower cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio were found in the jejunum. Ursodeoxycholate reduced bile acid uptake into membrane vesicles from both ileum and jejunum. CONCLUSIONS: Active transport is limited to the ileum. Passive diffusion is higher through a less fluid membrane with a higher cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio in the ileum than in the jejunum. Ursodeoxycholate inhibition may be at the level of a facilitated, sodium-independent diffusion in the jejunum.

Animals↗

Serosal injury in the equine jejunum and ascending colon after ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention and decompression.

OBJECTIVE: To document morphologic changes that occur in equine intestinal serosa after experimentally induced ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (jejunum, ascending colon) or after intraluminal distention and decompression (jejunum). STUDY DESIGN: Morphologic effects of ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention-decompression determined on the serosal layer of the equine jejunum. The large colon serosa was evaluated after ischemia-reperfusion injury. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Seven adult horses. METHODS: After induction of general anesthesia and ventral median celiotomy, ischemia was created by arteriovenous (AVO) and lumen occlusion of a 20-cm segment of jejunum and ascending colon for 70 minutes, followed by a 60-minute reperfusion period. Intraluminal distention (25 cm H2O) was created in a second 20-cm jejunal segment and maintained within the abdomen for 120 minutes, followed by a 120-minute decompression period. Seromuscular biopsies were obtained upon entering the abdomen and after the ischemic and reperfusion periods, and after the distention and decompression periods along with corresponding control seromuscular biopsies. Samples were processed and examined by light microscopy, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Ischemia and reperfusion, and intraluminal distention and decompression, resulted in severe morphologic changes in the seromuscular layer of equine jejunum. A similar period of ischemia-reperfusion caused minimal changes in the ascending colon serosa. CONCLUSION: Adult equine jejunum sustains more serosal damage than the ascending colon after similar periods of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Intraluminal distention and subsequent decompression causes serosal damage in the equine jejunum. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The small intestine is more susceptible to seromuscular layer damage than the ascending colon.

Animals↗

One-stage reconstruction of esophageal defect by free transfer of jejunum: treatment and complications.

We report on 20 patients with esophageal defects that were reconstructed by jejunum transplant with the help of microsurgical techniques. Sixteen attempts were successful, for a success rate of 80%. Three types of reconstruction were used: free jejunum transfer, free jejunum flap transfer, and partially pedicled jejunum transfer with the distal portion revascularized. This article emphasizes the complications of these procedures, including tearing of the jejunum mesentery, thrombosis at the anastomotic stoma, balloon-like distention of the cervical portion of the transferred jejunum, strangulation at the diaphragm foramen, and stenosis of the anastomotic stoma between the remnant of the esophagus and the transferred jejunum. Measures for prevention and treatment of these complications are also discussed.

Burns, Chemical↗

Colonization of the upper jejunum by enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in paediatric diarrhoea.

Aspirated fluid from the upper jejunum was obtained by intubation of 27 children with diarrhoea and 7 control children without diarrhoea. The aspirated jejunal fluid was analysed for total counts of viable aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Gram-negative aerobic bacteria were typed biochemically and analysed for the production of heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxin. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains of serogroups 0111, 055 and 0127 were detected in the stools of nine patients and the respective strains concomitantly in the upper jejunum (10(3)-10(8) bact/ml) in 7 patients with diarrhoea. In 6 patients from whom isolates of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were obtained, there were high total viable counts of non-enterotoxigenic bacteria in the upper jejunum and ETEC were recovered from this location in 3 cases. Enterotoxigenic Klebsiella was recovered from faeces but not from upper jejunum in one case. Compared to the controls, the total number of bacteria in the upper jejunum were 100-1000 times higher in patients with enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) or enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). In another 11 cases with diarrhoea caused by Shigella, rotavirus or of unknown aetiology, the total viable counts of bacteria were similar to those of the controls. Five patients with severe EPEC diarrhoea received antibodies for 5 days. The patients improved clinically, and the EPEC strain had disappeared from the upper jejunum when they were reexamined. In conclusion, in EPEC diarrhoea a colonization of the upper jejunum by the causative organism seemed to take place, while in ETEC diarrhoea, there appeared to be a nonspecific contamination by enteric bacteria.

Child, Preschool↗

Factors affecting the utilization of ketone bodies and other substrates by rat jejunum: effects of fasting and of diabetes.

1. The utilization of some metabolic fuels has been measured in vitro in a preparation of rat jejunum to which the substrates were supplied via the perfusate flowing through the vascular bed. 2. In jejunum from 48 hr-fasted rats, the combined rates of utilization of 1 mM-acetoacetate and 2mM-D-3-hydroxybutyrate are similar to that of 7.5 mM-glucose. 3. The utilization of glucose is reduced in jejunum from animals fasted for 48 hr (45--63% reduction) and also from animals after 3--6 days of diabetes induced by streptozotocin (29% reduction). The addition of ketone bodies or of Na-oleate to the vascular perfusate does not reduce the utilization of glucose by the jejunum of either fed or 48 hr fasted rats. 4. Ketone bodies in the vascular perfusate reduce the oxidation of glucose by the jejunum of fed rats. In the jejunum of 48 hr-fasted rats, ketone bodies completely inhibit the oxidation of glucose so that all the glucose utilized by the tissue is converted to lactate. 5. The findings are discussed in relation to other work and it is concluded that substrates for the oxidative metabolism of the jejunum of fasted rats are likely to be ketone bodies, glutamine and fatty acids; at the same time the utilization of glucose is reduced and its oxidation completely abolished.

Animals↗

Suckling rat colon synthesizes and processes active lactase-phlorizin hydrolase immunologically identical to that from jejunum.

To identify potential tissue-specific characteristics of intestinal glycoprotein synthesis and processing, rat intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (L-Ph) was studied after pulse-labeling of colonic explants from 5-d-old suckling rats in organ culture and the data compared to similar studies in rat jejunum. Histologic sections of 5-d-old proximal colon showed villus-like structures lined with columnar epithelial cells. Lactase and phlorizin hydrolase activities showed tissue-specific developmental patterns. Using a MAb to small intestinal L-Ph, we were able to immunoprecipitate from colon at different ages a protein that hydrolyzed lactose and phlorizin, and whose activity was not inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate. After pulse-labeling for 60 min and chase for 30 min, immunoprecipitated L-Ph from total homogenates of rat colonic explants appeared on fluorography of SDS-PAGE as one band of approximately 205 kD. With increasing time of chase, it took 240 min before the precursor form was converted to the intermediate form (equivalent to the 180-kD form in jejunum) and the mature form (equivalent to the 130-kD form in jejunum), although these conversions in the jejunum were observed within 60 min of chase, and only 30 min of pulse labeling. When compared on SDS-PAGE to immunoprecipitated jejunal L-Ph, the precursor form in the colon had a slightly higher apparent mol wt than the corresponding precursor form found in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi fraction of the jejunum. The intermediate as well as the mature L-Ph forms in the colon were also both somewhat higher in apparent molecular weight than the same bands in the microvillus membrane fraction from jejunal explants. Removal of N-linked oligosaccharides from jejunum and colonic forms of L-Ph produced bands on SDS-PAGE with identical mobility, suggesting that the proteins were the same. The data demonstrate that, in neonatal colon, enzymatically active L-Ph undergoes biosynthetic and processing events similar to those in the jejunum. During early life, colonic L-Ph may function in the salvage of lactose not absorbed in the small intestine.

Animals↗