Intestinal epithelial function and villus surface area in rats with bile fistulae

We have previously found reduced absorption of vitamin B12 in rats with choledochocolic fistulae. To investigate whether the reduction is caused by epithelial dysfunction or mucosal hypoplasia, choledochocolic fistulae were made in 11 rats, whereas 10 rats were sham-operated. The epithelial function was evaluated 9 days later by measuring the uptake of 57CoB12 and glucose in perfused intestinal segments and by determining the activities of 11 mucosal enzymes. Hypoplasia was investigated by performing morphometric measurements of the villus surface area and by measuring the weight, protein, and DNA in mucosal scrapings. The results suggest that choledochocolic fistulae in rats do not impair the epithelial function or cause mucosal hypoplasia. The urinary excretion of indican was increased in the fistula-operated rats, but further studies are needed to establish the significance of this observation.