Development of the intestinal SGLT1 transporter in rats

Daily expression of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-1 protein in jejunum during rat ontogeny

It is widely known that intestinal capacities such as the enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and the subsequent absorption of the hydrolyzed products, are evolutionary matched to dietary loads and feeding behaviors. In this study, we demonstrate that the protein expression of apically located sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-1 (SGLT-1) throughout rat ontogeny is daily adjusted to afford glucose uptake when the load of this metabolically essential monosaccharide in the intestinal lumen is maximum. The jejunal expression of SGLT-1 protein in 14 one-day-old suckling pups was found to increase at dark and early light phase (P < 0.05), when they have a better access to mother milk. In weaning 21-d-old and juvenile 28-d-old rats, the cotransporter expression was high throughout the entire day (P < 0.05). Finally, adult 90-d-old rats showed a well-developed circadian rhythm for SGLT-1 protein (P < 0.05), whose expression increased at late light and dark phase when the highest intestinal glucose load was achieved. To our knowledge, these results are the first reporting the daily profile of SGLT-1 expression during rat early developmental stage and may contribute to understand the biological significance of a well-established molecular capacity to deal with the crucial increase of glucose load in the diet during the weaning process.

Exposure to low level of arsenic and lead in drinking water from Antofagasta city induces gender differences in glucose homeostasis in rats

Populations chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water often have increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to compare the glucose homeostasis of male and female rats exposed to low levels of heavy metals in drinking water. Treated groups were Sprague-Dawley male and female rats exposed to drinking water from Antofagasta city, with total arsenic of 30 ppb and lead of 53 ppb for 3 months; control groups were exposed to purified water by reverse osmosis. The two treated groups in both males and females showed arsenic and lead in the hair of rats. The δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase was used as a sensitive biomarker of arsenic toxicity and lead. The activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase was reduced only in treated male rats, compared to the control group. Treated males showed a significantly sustained increase in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test compared to control group. The oral glucose tolerance test and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance demonstrated that male rats were insulin resistant, and females remained sensitive to insulin after treatment. The total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased in treated male rats vs. the control, and triglyceride increased in treated female rats vs. the control. The activity of intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter in male rats increased compared to female rats, suggesting a significant increase in intestinal glucose absorption. The findings indicate that exposure to low levels of arsenic and lead in drinking water could cause gender differences in insulin resistance.

Ontogeny, growth and development of the small intestine: Understanding pediatric gastroenterology

Throughout our lifetime, the intestine changes. Some alterations in its form and function may be genetically determined, and some are the result of adaptation to diet, temperature, or stress. The critical period programming of the intestine can be modified, such as from subtle differences in the types and ratios of n3:m6 fatty acids in the diet of the pregnant mother, or in the diet of the weanlings. This early forced adaptation may persist in later life, such as the unwanted increased intestinal absorption of sugars, fatty acids and cholesterol. Thus, the ontogeny, early growth and development of the intestine is important for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.

Active absorption of ginsenoside Rg1 in vitro and in vivo: the role of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 1

Objectives

Our previous study suggested that adrenaline (epinephrine) could be an effective absorption enhancer for ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1). This study focused on the transport mechanism of Rg1 and the role of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 1 in the regulation of Rg1 uptake after exposure to adrenaline.

Methods

Caco-2 cells were used as an in-vitro model to assess the absorption mechanism of Rg1. Also the effect of D-glucose on adrenaline-induced absorption of Rg1 was investigated in vivo in rats.

Key findings

Results showed that the uptake of Rg1 was temperature-dependent. The transport from the basolateral side to the apical side was significantly lower compared with that from the apical to the basolateral side (P &lt; 0.01). The transport of Rg1 was concentration dependent (Km was 41.60 mM, Vmax was 353.75 mol/cm2/min). Cells incubated with D-glucose-free medium exhibited significantly greater Rg1 uptake (+ 62.6%) compared with cells in D-glucose-containing medium. The data indicated that sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 1 was involved in the transport of Rg1. Adrenaline-induced uptake of Rg1 was significantly inhibited in the presence of phlorizin and the absence of Na+. In the in-vivo study in rats, it was found that after co-administration with D-glucose, the adrenaline-induced absorption of Rg1 was inhibited. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0→∞) value was significantly decreased from 64.57 ± 27.08 to 1.37 ± 0.42 μg/ml h (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions

The data suggested that adrenaline enhanced the absorption of Rg1 by regulating sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 1.

Fructose-responsive genes in the small intestine of neonatal rats

The intestinal brush border fructose transporter GLUT5 (SLC2A5) typically appears in rats after weaning is completed. However, precocious consumption of dietary fructose or in vivo perfusion for 4 h of the small intestine with high fructose (HF) specifically stimulates de novo synthesis of GLUT5 mRNA and protein before weaning is completed. Intermediary signals linking the substrate, fructose, to GLUT5 transcription are not known but should also respond to fructose perfusion. Hence, we used microarray hybridization and RT-PCR to identify genes whose expression levels change during HF relative to high-glucose (HG) perfusion. Expression of GLUT5 and NaPi2b, the intestinal Na+-dependent phosphate transporter, dramatically increased and decreased, respectively, with HF perfusion for 4 h. Expression of >20 genes, including two key gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, also increased markedly, along with fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, an enzyme unique to fructose metabolism and regulating fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity. GLUT5 and G6P mRNA abundance, which increased dramatically with HF relative to HG, α-methylglucose, and normal Ringer perfusion, may be tightly and specifically linked to changes in intestinal luminal fructose but not glucose concentrations. G6P but not GLUT5 mRNA abundance increased after just 20 min of HF perfusion. This cluster of gluconeogenic enzymes and their common metabolic intermediate fructose-6-phosphate may regulate fructose metabolism and GLUT5 expression in the small intestine.

Influence of weaning and effect of post weaning dietary zinc and copper on electrophysiological response to glucose, theophylline and 5-HT in piglet small intestinal mucosa

This study aimed to examine how weaning and how dietary zinc and/or copper fed post weaning may affect the electrophysiological response to glucose and to chloride secretagogues in piglet small intestine in vitro. Study 1 included 54 piglets (six litters of nine piglets). One piglet from every litter was killed 1 day before weaning. The remaining 48 piglets were allocated at weaning (28 d) to four dietary zinc treatments and subsequently killed 1-2, 5-6 or 14-15 days after weaning. Study 2 included 48 piglets (six litters of eight piglets) allocated to four dietary treatments, consisting of high or low dietary zinc with or without high dietary copper. All piglets in study 2 were killed 5-7 days after weaning. The in vitro studies in Ussing chambers showed that weaning resulted in increased ileal glucose absorption as well as increased neuroendocrine-regulated (activated by 5-HT) and cAMP-dependent (activated by theophylline) chloride secretion. High zinc supplementation reduced the responses to 5-HT and theophylline. The study did not reveal any influence of copper on these parameters. It is concluded that the positive effect of zinc supplementation on diarrhoea in weaned piglets may be due to zinc reducing the intestinal mucosal susceptibility to secretagogues that activate chloride secretion.

IGF alters jejunal glucose transporter expression and serum glucose levels in immature rats

Milk-borne insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) enhance nutrient absorption in the immature intestine, which is characterized by low levels of glucose oxidation. We therefore hypothesized that feeding a rat milk substitute (RMS) devoid of growth factors to rat pups would lower serum glucose levels relative to dam-fed control rats and that supplementation of RMS with physiological doses of either IGF-I or IGF-II would normalize serum glucose levels via increased jejunal glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and high-affinity Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) expression. We found lower serum glucose concentrations in RMS-fed pups; in contrast, serum glucose levels in the IGF-supplemented pups were similar to those of dam-fed controls. RT-PCR and laser scanning confocal microscopy similarly demonstrated that IGF supplementation increased expression of jejunal glucose transporters. Further experiments demonstrated that IGF supplementation altered mRNA levels of key mitochondrial enzymes without altering jejunal lactase activity. We conclude that IGF-I and IGF-II supplementation increases serum glucose levels in the immature rat pup fed artificial formula and alters gene expression of the jejunal glucose transporters.

Diet-related adaptation of the small intestine at weaning in pigs is functional rather than structural

BACKGROUND

Incidence of diarrhea at weaning in commercial pigs is an important problem, and diet is thought to be a predisposing factor. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of switching from milk-based to cereal-based diets on the morphology and function of the small intestine of piglets using a model of delayed weaning to isolate the influence of the diet from that of environmental and social factors.

METHODS

Forty-five piglets received a milk-based diet for 5 weeks after weaning. Thirty piglets were then switched from milk-based to wheat- or barley-based diets, mimicking the dietary change that occurs at weaning. The last 15 piglets remained on the milk-based diet. Piglets were killed 4 days after the dietary switch. Jejunal mucosa morphometry and enzyme activities were measured. Ussing chambers were used to measure intestinal permeability to macromolecules, basal electrical properties, glucose absorption, and induced chloride-secretion.

RESULTS

Alkaline phosphatase- and sucrase-specific activities were higher in both groups of cereal-fed piglets than in milk-fed piglets. Dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity was higher in wheat-fed piglets than in the other groups. Na + -dependent glucose absorption was 1.7-fold higher in cereals-fed piglets than in milk-fed piglets. Serotonin-induced and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-induced chloride secretion was doubled in cereals-fed piglets. Dietary transition did not influence the other parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that switching from milk to cereals increased some mucosal enzyme activities, intestinal Na + -dependent glucose absorption, and response to secretagogues. This supports the hypothesis that dietary factors could initiate diarrhea in the presence of other aggravating factors, such as pathogens or environmental stress.

Dietary and developmental regulation of intestinal sugar transport

The Na(+)-dependent glucose transporter SGLT1 and the facilitated fructose transporter GLUT5 absorb sugars from the intestinal lumen across the brush-border membrane into the cells. The activity of these transport systems is known to be regulated primarily by diet and development. The cloning of these transporters has led to a surge of studies on cellular mechanisms regulating intestinal sugar transport. However, the small intestine can be a difficult organ to study, because its cells are continuously differentiating along the villus, and because the function of absorptive cells depends on both their state of maturity and their location along the villus axis. In this review, I describe the typical patterns of regulation of transport activity by dietary carbohydrate, Na(+) and fibre, how these patterns are influenced by circadian rhythms, and how they vary in different species and during development. I then describe the molecular mechanisms underlying these regulatory patterns. The expression of these transporters is tightly linked to the villus architecture; hence, I also review the regulatory processes occurring along the crypt-villus axis. Regulation of glucose transport by diet may involve increased transcription of SGLT1 mainly in crypt cells. As cells migrate to the villus, the mRNA is degraded, and transporter proteins are then inserted into the membrane, leading to increases in glucose transport about a day after an increase in carbohydrate levels. In the SGLT1 model, transport activity in villus cells cannot be modulated by diet. In contrast, GLUT5 regulation by the diet seems to involve de novo synthesis of GLUT5 mRNA synthesis and protein in cells lining the villus, leading to increases in fructose transport a few hours after consumption of diets containing fructose. In the GLUT5 model, transport activity can be reprogrammed in mature enterocytes lining the villus column. Innovative experimental approaches are needed to increase our understanding of sugar transport regulation in the small intestine. I close by suggesting specific areas of research that may yield important information about this interesting, but difficult, topic.

Dietary and developmental regulation of intestinal sugar transport

The Na(+)-dependent glucose transporter SGLT1 and the facilitated fructose transporter GLUT5 absorb sugars from the intestinal lumen across the brush-border membrane into the cells. The activity of these transport systems is known to be regulated primarily by diet and development. The cloning of these transporters has led to a surge of studies on cellular mechanisms regulating intestinal sugar transport. However, the small intestine can be a difficult organ to study, because its cells are continuously differentiating along the villus, and because the function of absorptive cells depends on both their state of maturity and their location along the villus axis. In this review, I describe the typical patterns of regulation of transport activity by dietary carbohydrate, Na(+) and fibre, how these patterns are influenced by circadian rhythms, and how they vary in different species and during development. I then describe the molecular mechanisms underlying these regulatory patterns. The expression of these transporters is tightly linked to the villus architecture; hence, I also review the regulatory processes occurring along the crypt-villus axis. Regulation of glucose transport by diet may involve increased transcription of SGLT1 mainly in crypt cells. As cells migrate to the villus, the mRNA is degraded, and transporter proteins are then inserted into the membrane, leading to increases in glucose transport about a day after an increase in carbohydrate levels. In the SGLT1 model, transport activity in villus cells cannot be modulated by diet. In contrast, GLUT5 regulation by the diet seems to involve de novo synthesis of GLUT5 mRNA synthesis and protein in cells lining the villus, leading to increases in fructose transport a few hours after consumption of diets containing fructose. In the GLUT5 model, transport activity can be reprogrammed in mature enterocytes lining the villus column. Innovative experimental approaches are needed to increase our understanding of sugar transport regulation in the small intestine. I close by suggesting specific areas of research that may yield important information about this interesting, but difficult, topic.

Nutrient absorption

Some interesting advances in mechanisms and regulation of nutrient absorption were reported last year. Further evidence was obtained that the rate-limiting step in triacylglycerol absorption, especially with large doses of lipid, is transport of prechylomicrons from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Targeted disruption of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter in mice produced changes similar to human Tangier disease and suggested that this mouse may be a model for studying intestinal high-density lipoprotein assembly and secretion. A new mechanism for carbohydrate malabsorption was discovered: in sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, the enzyme fails to anchor in the brush border membrane and so is secreted into the lumen, where it is ineffective. Glycosylating insulin at B1 phenylalanine permitted it to bind to the brush border membrane and greatly enhanced its hypoglycemic activity when given orally. CaCo-2 cells and normal human enterocytes were shown to have two variants of the human sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter, hSVCT1; one is active and the other is an inactive splice variant. In rats, the divalent metal ion transporter, DMT1, appeared to be important for regulation of both absorption of iron and its movement into the liver.