[Changes of brush border enzyme activity following ileojejunal transposition or jejunum resection in the dog]

The maltases, saccharase, and alkaline phosphatase activity of different intestinal segments of dogs was determined 0, 3, 6 and 9 weeks after an operation which altered the integrity of the intestinal tube (resection of jejunum, ileo-jejunal transposition, sham operation). Enzyme levels increase from duodenum to the proximal ileum but are very low more distally. At different time intervals enzyme activity remains unchanged in shame operated animals. After resection of the jejunum the activity in the duodenum increased, but was found almost unaltered in the proximal and distal ileum. In contrast, after ileo-jejunal transposition a reduced activity of 50% and 60% was observed in former jejunal or ileal loops, respectively. The levels of the different measured enzymes change in a similar fashion, and the described alterations occur within 3 weeks after operation. The results show depending on the type of operation (resection versus transposition of the jejunum) a different alteration of ileal brush border enzymes.