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Intestinal development in suckling rats: direct or indirect spermine action?
M Kaouass1, P Deloyer, G Dandrifosse
1Laboratory of Biochemistry and General Physiology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Digestion
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Spermine, a polyamine, influences rat intestinal enzymes. Oral spermine affects sucrase, maltase, and lactase activity, with adrenal glands playing a role in these changes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Polyamines, such as spermine, are essential for cell growth and differentiation.
- The role of dietary polyamines in the development and function of the immature intestine is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct and indirect effects of orally administered spermine on intestinal brush border disaccharidases in unweaned rats.
- To determine the involvement of adrenal gland secretions in mediating spermine's effects on intestinal enzymes.
Main Methods:
- Surgical placement of spermine in the small and large intestines of rats.
- Intraperitoneal injection of spermine.
- Adrenalectomy in rats before spermine administration.
- Organ culture of intestinal explants with spermine addition.
Main Results:
- Spermine introduced into the small or large intestine altered sucrase, maltase, and lactase activities.
- Intraperitoneal spermine had minimal effects, except for a slight decrease in distal lactase activity.
- Adrenalectomy abolished the effects of spermine on sucrase and maltase but not lactase.
- Spermine in organ cultures did not replicate the in vivo effects and even reduced maltase activity.
Conclusions:
- Dietary polyamines like spermine exert both direct and indirect influences on the immature rat intestine.
- Adrenal gland secretions are implicated in the indirect effects of spermine on specific disaccharidases.