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Fasting and postprandial polyamine concentrations in the human digestive lumen
R Benamouzig1, S Mahé, C Luengo
1Unité INRA UNHPI, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Paris, France.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Human intestinal polyamines are primarily secreted internally, not from food. Studies show higher concentrations proximally, indicating absorption, with dietary polyamines being fully absorbed.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Polyamines are vital for cell growth and development.
- The gastrointestinal tract's role in polyamine metabolism is not fully understood.
- Limited data exists on intraluminal polyamine concentrations and sources in the human gut.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify polyamine concentrations and flow rates in the human jejunum and ileum.
- To investigate the contribution of dietary intake versus endogenous secretion to intraluminal polyamines.
- To assess the absorption of dietary polyamines in the human intestine.
Main Methods:
- Collected jejunal and ileal effluents using slow-marker perfusion after 12-hour fasting.
- Conducted kinetic studies involving water ingestion and a yogurt test meal.
- Measured polyamine concentrations (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine) and flow rates.
Main Results:
- Significant polyamine concentrations were detected in the fasting gut lumen, suggesting endogenous secretion.
- Jejunal polyamine concentrations were higher than ileal concentrations, indicating proximal absorption.
- A 25% increase in jejunal putrescine flow rate post-yogurt meal suggests complete absorption of dietary polyamines.
Conclusions:
- The human intestine endogenously secretes polyamines.
- Intraluminal polyamines are primarily absorbed in the proximal gut.
- Dietary polyamines are efficiently absorbed in the jejunum.