Enhancement of sucrase-isomaltase gene expression induced by luminally administered fructose in rat jejunum

We have previously shown that feeding a diet containing sucrose to rats causes an elevation of sucrase-isomaltase (SI) mRNA level in the jejunum. In this study, we examined whether the SI mRNA level could be directly elevated by administration of one of the constituting monosaccharides (i.e., glucose and/or fructose). Gastric intubation of a sucrose solution caused increases in both sucrase activity and SI mRNA level in the jejunum. Intrajejunal intubation of fructose, but not glucose, led to an elevation of sucrase activity and SI mRNA level. To examine whether fructose directly affects the gene expression of SI at the segment where the absorption of this sugar takes place or the sugar-induced increase in the gene expression of SI is secondary to any possible changes in the level(s) of certain hormonal factor(s) in the blood stream, a solution containing either fructose or glucose was simultaneously perfused into two consecutive cannulated and irrigated loops of jejunum that were not isolated from blood circulation. Compared with the loop perfused with glucose, the loop perfused with fructose exhibited significantly greater sucrase activity and SI mRNA level as well as the elevated GLUT5 mRNA level. These results suggest that fructose is capable of directly increasing the gene expression of SI and GLUT5 in the confined segment where fructose is absorbed.