Site density of mouse intestinal glucose transporters declines with age

To evaluate the effect of age on nutrient transport, the absorption rates of D-glucose, D-fructose, L-alanine, L-aspartate, L-leucine, L-lysine, L-proline, folic acid, and nicotinamide were determined in isolated jejunal tissues of young (6.7 mo old) and aged (23.7 and 27.0 mo old) mice (COBS:SFW). D-Glucose and D-fructose uptakes per milligram tissue were approximately 20-120% higher in the proximal jejunum and 15-50% higher in the distal jejunum of young mice. Amino acid and vitamin uptakes per milligram were also higher in young mice, but differences were not statistically significant. The number of Na(+)-D-glucose transporters per milligram tissue as estimated by specific phlorizin binding decreased with age. There was no age-related change in passive L-glucose permeability, in Kd of specific phlorizin binding, in transporter turnover rate, and in the molecular weight of the Na(+)-D-glucose transporter. Thus a reduction in D-glucose transporter site density fully accounts for the age-related decline in D-glucose transport rate per milligram small intestine.