A protein-free diet alters small intestinal architecture and digestive enzyme activities in rats

Abstract

-The consequences of feeding a protein-free (PF) diet, as compared to casein, on gut characteristics were studied in slightly energy-restricted rats fed similar amounts of feed for 10 d. The weight and pH of fresh digesta in the stomach were lower (P = 0.045 and P = 0.016). However, the weight of fresh digesta in the other segments and gut tissue weight were not significantly affected by the diet (P > 0.05). Small intestinal crypt depth, width and area were reduced by 13, 23 and 37%, respectively (P = 0.011, P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), and villus width tended to be smaller (P = 0.057), with the PF diet. Villus height to crypt depth ratio was also lower with the PF diet in the duodenum and ileum, respectively (P < 0.05). Finally, the specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase N were reduced by 36 to 38% at different sites of the small intestine in the rats fed the PF diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic consumption of a protein-free diet altered the intestinal villus-crypt architecture and enzyme activities in rats.rat / protein-free diet / intestine / villus-crypt architecture / enzyme

Morphological and Enzymological Studies of the Small Intestine Villi of Rats Receiving Diets Containing Different Levels of Protein

“…Montoya et al (2006) stated that the specific activity of amino peptidase was reduced at different sites of the small intestine in the rats fed a proteinfree diet, our findings also agreed with those of Montoya. In conclusion, consumption of a protein-deficient diet altered the villous-crypt architecture and enzyme activities in rats.…”

“…Malnutrition causes a combination of metabolic changes that lead to weight loss, disorder in growth, damage of jejunal cell mucosa and change in the function of the gastrointestinal tract especially liver and small intestine (Montoya et al, 2006).…”

Anticatabolic activity of alpha-ketoglutaric acid in growing rats

“…Our data show that AKG acid provided at 3 g/kg feed has a negative effect on villi and microvilli length as reported by Montoya et al (2006). On the contrary, the data obtained with AKG acid at 6 g/kg feed are similar to those of the control group.…”

Probiotic oligosaccharides improve the recovery of intestinal mucosa and biochemicals parameters in malnourished rats

“…Many studies suggest that protein malnutrition causes alterations on adult rat ascending colon intestinal morphometrics, especially in tissues which present a high level of cell turnover such as the mucosa tunic and consequently their structures such as the enterocytes, goblet cells, and crypts (Hermes et al, 2008). Montoya et al (2006) showed that feeding a protein free diet to rats slightly restricted in energy affected gastric emptying and small intestinal mucosal architecture and enzyme activities. Compared with malnourished rats in the group phase of refeeding, the levels of total serum protein and albumin were significantly increased.…”