Modulation of small-intestinal secretion and absorption in chronic vitamin E deficiency : studies in rat jejunum in vitro

• Published in: Clinical science (1979) Vol. 85; no. 5; pp. 629 - 635
• Main Authors: LINDLEY, K. J, MULLER, D. P. R, MILLA, P. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Portland Press 01.11.1993
• Subjects: Absorption; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Diet; Intestine, Small - drug effects; Intestine, Small - metabolism; Jejunum - drug effects; Jejunum - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Norepinephrine - pharmacology; Other nutritional diseases (malnutrition, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies...); Rats; Rats, Wistar; Serotonin - pharmacology; Vitamin E Deficiency - metabolism; Animal model; Experimental disease; Jejunum; Pathophysiology; Animal; Diarrhea; Digestive diseases; Metabolic diseases; Vitamin deficiency; α-Tocopherol; In vitro
• ISSN: 0143-5221; 1470-8736
• DOI: 10.1042/cs0850629

1. A vicious cycle of malabsorption and malnutrition has been implicated in the pathogenesis of protracted diarrhoeal disease in infancy. Vitamin E deficiency is common in malnourished infants with protracted diarrhoea. We have studied the effects of chronic vitamin E deficiency on small-intestinal secretion and absorption in the rat. 2. Weanling rats were fed vitamin E-sufficient or -deficient diets for 21 weeks. Jejunal function was studied in vitro in an Ussing chamber after this period. 3. Steady-state isotopic flux experiments in unstimulated tissues demonstrated net Na+ and Cl- secretion in vitamin E-deficient jejuna but net Na+ and Cl- absorption in vitamin E-sufficient jejuna. 4. Basal intestinal short-circuit current was the same in both groups. 5. Cyclic nucleotide and maximal non-neuronal acetylcholine-mediated electrogenic secretion were increased in vitamin E-deficient jejuna. 6. Exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) induced a smaller increment in electrogenic secretion in vitamin E-deficient jejuna. 7. Vitamin E-deficient jejuna were less responsive to exogenous noradrenaline, resulting in a smaller alpha 2-adrenergic-mediated decrease in intestinal short-circuit current. 8. Fasting for 72h produced a greater increment in intestinal short-circuit current in vitamin E-deficient jejuna. 9. Chronic vitamin E deficiency is prosecretory in the small intestine and may predispose to the perpetuation of protracted diarrhoeal diseases.