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Published on: November 16, 2011
Intestinal glucose uptake is increased in aged mice.
J S Thompson1, D A Crouse, S L Mann
1Department of Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha 68105.
Aging impairs carbohydrate metabolism, but not due to reduced intestinal glucose uptake. Older mice showed increased glucose absorption and cell proliferation, despite no structural changes, suggesting other age-related factors are involved.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Carbohydrate metabolism is known to be altered in aging individuals.
- The precise mechanisms behind these metabolic changes, particularly concerning intestinal glucose absorption, remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in intestinal glucose absorption.
- To determine the relationship between glucose uptake, proliferative activity, and intestinal structure in aging mice.
Main Methods:
- Assessed in vitro glucose uptake in the intestinal mucosa of mice across different age groups (2, 12, 24, and 30+ months).
- Measured proliferative activity, thymidine uptake, and disaccharidase activity.
- Evaluated intestinal weight, length, villus height, and crypt depth.
Main Results:
- In vitro glucose uptake was significantly higher in the oldest mice (30+ months) compared to younger groups.
- Crypt cell production rate and thymidine uptake also increased with age.
- No significant alterations were observed in intestinal weight, length, villus height, or crypt depth.
Conclusions:
- Altered carbohydrate absorption in aging is not attributable to diminished mucosal glucose uptake.
- Increased intestinal function in aged mice may be linked to factors independent of structural changes.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms driving these age-related functional adaptations in the gut.
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