3-0 methylglucose absorption in vivo correlates with nutrient absorption and intestinal surface area in experimental...

Inert carbohydrate probes are widely used to study intestinal permeability and examine the passive uptake of markers. This study examined the use of quantifying 3-0 methylglucose (3-0 MG) absorption as a marker of intestinal surface area and active nutrient transport capability.

Using a rat model, varying degrees of short bowel syndrome (SBS) were induced: sham operation (intestinal transection only), 50% resection (R50), 75% resection (R75), and 90% resection (R90; n = 6 to 8 in each group). Animals were pair fed, and over days 5 and 6 postoperation, a balance study was done to quantify absorption of dietary fat, protein, and carbohydrate. On day 7, animals were gavaged with the test solution containing 3-0 MG, lactulose, and mannitol, followed by a 16-hour urine collection. Urine recovery of probes was quantified using high-performance liquid chromotography. Animals were then killed, and the gross and microscopic intestinal morphology was determined.

As expected, increased resection resulted in reduced absorption of dietary nutrients and 3-0 MG, which reached significance in the R90 resected animals. 3-0 MG absorption was significantly correlated with intestinal surface area and the absorption of dietary protein and fat (p < .01 for all comparisons). Interestingly, 3-0 MG absorption was not significantly correlated with the absorption of dietary carbohydrate.

3-0 MG absorption is a useful marker of functional intestinal surface area and of the absorption of dietary fat and protein in experimental SBS. 3-0 MG may be a useful marker of nutrient absorptive capacity in patients with SBS; further study is indicated.