Effect of lactose on phosphate transport into rat intestinal brush border membrane vesicles

Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were used to evaluate the influence of lactose on phosphate (Pi) transport in the intestine of the rat. BBMV were prepared from duodenum, jejunum and ileum of 3-, 4- and 7-wk-old rats. Na+-dependent active transport of Pi was investigated in the presence of an Na+ gradient; Na+-independent, diffusional transport was investigated by substitution of choline chloride for NaCl. In 3-wk-old rats active Pi transport dominated, whereas in 4-wk-old rats a decrease in active transport and an increase of the diffusional component of total Pi transport were observed. Furthermore, in 7-wk-old rats, Pi was transported by simple diffusion alone. Addition of lactose to the preincubation medium had no effect on Pi transport in duodenal and jejunal BBMV isolated from 3-wk-old rats. In the remaining BBMV preparations, lactose caused a twofold enhancement of diffusional Pi uptake. Glucose and galactose had no effect on diffusional Pi uptake into BBMV. These results indicate that lactose may directly interact with luminal membranes, thus leading to increased diffusional transport. The membranes with a decreased Na+-dependent Pi transport activity are most susceptible to the influence of lactose.