Effect of a steroidal oral contraceptive on intestinal absorptive functions in proteins deficient rat

The effects of steroidal oral contraceptive norethynodrel plus ethinylestradiol-3-methyl ether (SOC) at a daily dose of 5 mg: 0.06 mg per kg body weight for 28 days on intestinal absorptive functions have been investigated in protein-deficient female albino rats. The administration of this contraceptive caused significant increase in glucose and amino acids uptake but had no effect on calcium and zinc uptake in pair-fed as well as in protein-deficient rat. Further studies carried out on glucose transport system showed that the transport of sodium-dependent glucose was significantly enhanced while that of sodium-independent glucose remained unaltered in drug-treated animals. Kinetic studies of glucose transport in the presence of sodium ions revealed that SOC treatment affected the rate of uptake of glucose by elevating Vmax, but the apparent Kt value remained the same in treated and untreated animals.