Abstract
The gastrointestinal mucosa is vulnerable to damage by lipid peroxidation. Vitamin E (E) is a powerful membrane bound antioxidant present in high concentration in enterocytes. We have studied the effects of E deficiency on mucosal function. 20 day old male Wistar rats were placed on a diet either deficient in E or one to which E (100mg/kg) had been added. Brush border membrane vesicles of small intestine were prepared by a Ca++ precipitation method and glucose and sodium uptake measured. Na+K+ATPase, cAMP and cGMP were determined in mucosal homogenates. Na+ stimulated glucose uptake was rapid with an ‘overshoot’ in both groups but after 9 months of E deficiency maximal glucose uptake was signifiqantly impaired (757±116 vs 1152±324 pmol/hr/mg protein; mean±1SD; n=5; p<0.05). H+ stimulated Na+ uptake was similarly reduced (380±148 vs 713±181, p<0.02). In the absence of a Na+ or H+ gradient, uptake of glucose and Na+ was not affected by E deficiency. No significant differences in Na+K+ATPase activity or cyclic nucleotide concentrations were observed. These data show that intestinal transport is disturbed in E deficiency and suggest that this is due to an effect on apical membrane transporters rather than on passive permeability or the enterocyte Na+ pump. We speculate that E deficiency may contribute to the malabsorption seen in some states of malnutrition.
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Sato, M., Goss-Sampson, M., Muller, D. et al. 84. THE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY ON SMALL INTESTINAL TRANSPORT FUNCTION. Pediatr Res 22, 110 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00105