The effect of fasting on hexose transfer in rat intestine

1. A technique has been developed whereby accurately defined segments of rat intestine can be isolated in vivo, and this technique was used to study the influence of fasting on hexose transport.2. In the distal ileum the transport of glucose and galactose was stimulated by fasting. The effect was specific as neither amino acid transport nor the permeability of the luminal membrane of the absorbing epithelium was altered by fasting. The increased hexose transport was accompanied by a reduced accumulation of hexose in the gut wall. In the proximal jejunum hexose transport was not stimulated by fasting.3. The results of in vitro experiments show the relative importance of hexose metabolism in providing energy for transport in different regions of the small intestine in both fed and fasted animals. In conditions where hexose metabolism was reduced, e.g. by fluoride, the proximal jejunum behaved more like the distal ileum and a stimulation of hexose transport in response to fasting was demonstrable in vivo.4. Motility studies showed that phenol red introduced into the stomach reached the ileum sooner, achieved a higher concentration and remained there for a longer period of time in the fasted animal.5. The changes in carbohydrate metabolism, hexose transport capacity and gastrointestinal motility are discussed in relation to adaptations of the rat to fasting.