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Carbohydrate absorption in the young of protein-deficient rats
Insights
Prenatal protein deficiency in rats impairs intestinal absorption of lactose and 3-O-methylglucose (TMG) in pups. However, intestinal cell development and absorption capacity show significant recovery postnatally, suggesting partial reversibility.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Prenatal nutrition significantly impacts offspring development.
- Maternal protein deficiency during gestation can lead to long-term health consequences in offspring.
- Intestinal absorptive capacity is crucial for nutrient uptake and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prenatal protein deficiency on intestinal absorption of carbohydrates in young rats.
- To assess the impact of postnatal nutrition on recovery of absorptive function.
- To determine if the observed effects are reversible.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed a protein-deficient diet during pregnancy, with pups suckled by control dams postnatally.
- Intestinal absorption of 3-O-methylglucose (TMG) and lactose was measured in vivo in pups at different postnatal ages (newborn, 4-day, 12-day).
- Absorption was quantified per enterocyte and per unit intestinal weight.
Main Results:
- Lactose absorption was reduced in newborn prenatally protein-deprived (PPD) pups but normalized postnatally.
- 3-O-methylglucose (TMG) absorption was normal at birth and 12 days but reduced at 4 days in PPD pups.
- Reduced carbohydrate absorption correlated with a lower number of absorptive cells in PPD pups.
- PPD pups showed a greater increase in cell numbers and absorption per cell than controls between birth and 12 days.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal protein deficiency impairs intestinal carbohydrate absorption in a time-dependent manner.
- The reduction in absorption is primarily linked to a decreased number of enterocytes.
- Postnatal recovery and catch-up growth indicate that the intestinal effects of prenatal protein deprivation are at least partially reversible.
Abstract:
The absorption of 3-O-methylglucose (TMG) and of lactose has been studied in the young of female rats fed a protein-deficient diet during pregnancy. Postnatally, these young were suckled by stock diet-fed dams. Intestines of newborn, 4-day and 12-day old pups were infused in situ with 5% TMG or 3.5% lactose. The mean amount retained per enterocyte was measured as well as the mean amount absorbed from the lumen and transferred from the enterocyte. Absorption of lactose was reduced in the enterocytes of newborn prenatally protein-deprived (PPD) young but not postnatally, while TMG absorption was normal at birth and 12 days but reduced at 4 days. The amount of carbohydrates absorbed in total or per unit intestinal weight seemed to vary with changes in the number of absorptive cells. It is suggested that reduced absorption in PPD pups is primarily related to the smaller number of absorptive cells in these young. There is a greater increase in numbers of cells and in absorption per cell between birth and 12 days in PPD young than in controls, indicating that the effect on the intestine of prenatal protein deprived young is at least partially reversible.