Regulation of L-alanine transport systems A and ASC by cyclic AMP and calcium in a reptilian duodenal model

Effect of theophylline on l-alanine absorption in the rat jejunum

The effect of theophylline on the accumulation of L-alanine (Ala) by the rat jejunum and the mechanism involved has been investigated. Ala is rapidly accumulated by the jejunal strips in vitro and saturation is reached between 10 and 15 min. An In/Out ratio of 2.55 reflects the presence of an active component in the overall transport mechanism. Ala accumulation shows a tendency toward saturation as cellular Ala concentration increases. In the absence of Na+, Ala accumulation is reduced and a direct relationship is observed between alanine concentration in the incubation medium and its intracellular concentration. Alanine accumulation is inhibited when theophylline (TH) concentration in the incubation medium is greater than 0.5 mM. A maximum inhibition of approximately 50% in the presence of 10 mM theophylline is observed. Further inhibition (57-65%) is observed when the jejunal strips are incubated in a Na+-free medium containing 10 mM theophylline. Single-pass perfusion of the rat jejunum shows that the presence of 0.5 mM TH in the perfusate, simulating therapeutic doses, did not affect Ala absorption. However, about 55% inhibition of Ala absorption was observed when 10 mM TH was included in the perfusate. In conclusion, it could be stated that in both in vitro and in vivo studies high toxic but not therapeutic doses of TH inhibit intestinal Ala uptake. The mechanism of inhibition may be attributed to a non-carrier mediated mechanism with a minor effect noticed on Ala carrier system.

Cyclic AMP stimulates fructose transport in neonatal rat small intestine

Intestinal fructose transporter (GLUT5) expression normally increases significantly after completion of weaning in neonatal rats. Increases in GLUT5 mRNA, protein, and activity can be induced in early weaning pups by precocious consumption of dietary fructose or by perfusion of the small intestine with fructose solutions. Little is known about the signal transduction pathway of the dietary fructose-mediated increase in GLUT5 expression during early intestinal development. Recent microarray results indicate that key gluconeogenic enzymes modulated by cAMP are markedly upregulated by fructose perfusion; hence, we tested the hypothesis that cAMP plays an important role in regulating intestinal fructose absorption by simultaneously perfusing adenylyl cyclase, phosphodiesterase, or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors along with fructose. Intestinal fructose uptake rates increased by 100% in rat pups perfused with 8-bromo-cAMP. Simultaneous fructose and dideoxyadenosine (DDA; inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase) perfusion completely inhibited increases in fructose uptake rate induced by perfusion with fructose alone. Fructose perfusion increased intestinal mucosal cAMP concentrations by 27%, but simultaneous perfusion of fructose and DDA inhibited the fructose-induced increase in cAMP. However, GLUT5 and sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) mRNA abundance and glucose transport rates were each not significantly affected by 8-bromo-cAMP and DDA. Moreover, simultaneous perfusion of the small intestine with fructose and PKA inhibitor or N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamid. 2HCl, both inhibitors of PKA, did not prevent the fructose-induced increases in GLUT5 mRNA abundance and fructose uptake rate. Cyclic AMP appears to modulate fructose transport without affecting GLUT5 mRNA abundance, and without involving PKA.