Effect of protein malnutrition on the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides in rats in vivo.

The present study was planned to elucidate the role of protein malnutrition on the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides particularly--glucose and xylose, in inbred female albino rats. The experimental rats were fed with protein deficient diet containing 3% protein, whereas the control rats were given a diet containing 18% protein. The study on intestinal absorption of monosaccharides was conducted on both the groups of rats after the 7th and 15th day of receiving respective diets. The results indicated no significant impairment of glucose absorption of experimental rats fed 3% diet for 7 days as compared to the controls. However a 42% decrease in glucose absorption was observed when the animals were fed with the same diet for 15 days. The impairment was significant in all segments of intestine suggesting diminution in the absorption capacity of small intestine in malnutrition perhaps as a result of some permanent injury to mucosal cells of small intestine. Regarding xylose absorption, in experimental rats an increase of intestinal uptake was noticed in most of the segments of small intestine as compared to control rats.

Effect of fasting on the intestinal absorption of D-glucose and D-xylose in rats in vivo.

The present study was planned to elucidate the role of fasting on the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides particularly--glucose and xylose in inbred female albino rats. Rats (weighing 250-300 grams) were divided into three groups. One group of rats served as control while the other two were experimental. One of the experimental groups was starved for 48 hours while the other for a period of 72 hours. It was found that fasting for 72 hours causes an overall increase in absorption of glucose from small intestine. Forty-eight hours of fasting caused a significant increase in glucose absorption from distal ileum only. Increase in the glucose absorption in fasting from small intestine can well be explained on the basis of a reduction in glucose metabolism in general as an adaptation to starvation so as to leave more glucose for cerebral metabolism. No significant changes, whatsoever, were encountered with xylose absorption in fasting animals.