DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD GROUP PROPERTIES AND BLOOD GROUP PROPERTY DESTROYING FACTORS IN THE INTESTINAL TRACT OF MAN.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Blood group specific substances are present in various body tissues.
• The distribution and degradation of these substances in the gastrointestinal tract are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and distribution of blood group A substance in the human gastrointestinal tract.
• To identify the appearance and activity of a blood group destroying agent in the intestines.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of intestinal contents from different segments (jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, rectum).
• Detection of blood group A substance.
• Assay for blood group destroying agent activity.

Main Results:

• Blood group A substance was detected in the jejunum and upper ileum of Group A individuals.
• A significant reduction in A substance was observed in the lower ileum and cecum.
• Adult colon and rectum contents were largely devoid of A substance.
• The blood group destroying agent was first identified in the lower ileum or cecum.
• The agent's effectiveness increased distally in the large intestine.
• In cases of intestinal obstruction, the destroying agent was found higher up in the jejunum and ileum.

Conclusions:

• Blood group A substance undergoes degradation along the gastrointestinal tract.
• A specific blood group destroying agent contributes to this degradation, originating in the lower ileum/cecum.
• Intestinal obstruction can alter the distribution of this agent.