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Effects of a single dose of orally-administered spermine on the intestinal development of unweaned rats
I Wéry1, P Deloyer, G Dandrifosse
1Department of Biochemistry and General Physiology, Institute of Chemistry (B-6) Liege University, Belgium.
Insights
Orally administered spermine (a polyamine) triggers a two-phase process in rat intestines, involving cell shedding and new cell growth. This study details the molecular and cellular changes during this postnatal intestinal maturation.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Postnatal intestinal development is a complex process.
- Polyamines, like spermine, are crucial for cell growth and differentiation.
- Understanding spermine's role can reveal mechanisms of intestinal maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of orally administered spermine-induced postnatal intestinal maturation in rats.
- To investigate the cellular and molecular events following spermine ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Suckling rats were administered a single oral dose of spermine.
- Intestinal tissues were collected at various time points post-administration.
- Measurements included wet weight, length, protein, DNA, disaccharidase activity, and polyamine levels.
Main Results:
- Spermine ingestion induced a biphasic response: initial cellular desquamation followed by new cell differentiation.
- Specific activities of lactase and maltase were altered in isolated epithelial cells.
- Changes in spermine, spermidine, and putrescine levels were observed in intestinal and cellular extracts.
Conclusions:
- Spermine administration initiates a cascade of cellular and molecular events leading to intestinal maturation.
- The findings provide insights into the mechanisms regulating postnatal intestinal development.
- This research opens avenues for further investigation into polyamine-mediated developmental processes.
Abstract:
Investigations were undertaken to obtain information on the mechanism by which orally administered spermine induces postnatal maturation in the rat intestine. Suckling rats ingested one dose of spermine (8 mumol) then were sacrificed at different intervals. -A. Proximal and distal parts of the intestine were homogenised. -B. A modification of the Wieser's technique was used to isolate cell fractions from the proximal mucosa. Wet weight and length of intestine; protein content, DNA amount, disaccharidase activity, polyamine amounts in intestinal and cellular extracts were measured. Spermine ingestion induced two phases of events: first, a cellular desquamation then a new cell differentiation. In the isolated epithelial cells, two and four hours after spermine ingestion, modifications in lactase and maltase specific activity were recorded, as were variations in spermine, spermidine and putrescine content. These observations clarify the cellular and molecular events of the intestinal development occurring after spermine ingestion and open new research perspectives.