The effect of experimental colitis on glucose absorption and aquaporin expression in the small intestine in adult rats

Abstract

The aim of this research work is to study the effect of colitis or colonic inflammation induced by IA (iodoacetamide), TNBS (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) and DSS (dextransulfate sodium), on the absorptive capacity of the small intestine for glucose and water in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The rate of glucose absorption was examined by the in vivo single pass perfusion technique in the jejunum and ileum and the mRNA level of expression of glucose transporters and aquaporins was determined in the small intestine in experimental colitis. The results have shown a significant decrease in the absorptive capacity for glucose in the jejunum, but not in the ileum. In addition, a significant decrease in the level of mRNA expression of SGLT1, GLUT2, GLUT5, AQP1, AQP7, AQP8 and Na+ -K+ -ATPase in the small intestine in all experimental colitis models. Moreover, a significant decrease of AQP1, AQP8 and Na+ -K+ -ATPase mRNA expression was detected in the colon. The present research indicated that a cross-talk exist between the inflamed colon and the small intestine. We suggest that this cross-talk may be controlled by a neural and/or an immunological mechanism.