Ethanol consumption by Wistar rat dams affects selenium bioavailability and antioxidant balance in their progeny

Ethanol consumption affects maternal nutrition, the mothers’ antioxidant balance and the future health of their progeny. Selenium (Se) is a trace element cofactor of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We will study the effect of ethanol on Se bioavailability in dams and in their progeny. We have used three experimental groups of dams: control, chronic ethanol and pair-fed; and three groups of pups. Se levels were measured by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum and hepatic GPx activity was determined by spectrometry. We have concluded that ethanol decreased Se retention in dams, affecting their tissue Se deposits and those of their offspring, while also compromising their progeny’s weight and oxidation balance. These effects of ethanol are caused by a reduction in Se intake and a direct alcohol-generated oxidation action

Leucine absorption after jejunoileal bypass in rats

Jejunal and ileal absorption of L-leucine has been studied in rats subjected to jejunoileal bypass and in sham-operated rats, for five minute periods, using a perfusion technique. Aminoacid concentrations were: 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 mM. In sorne experiments methionine was added to determine simple diffusion. The ratio of the active/diffusive components of absorption were calculated at the different luminal aminoacid concentrations in both groups of rats, showing that this ratio was lower in control animal

Effects of antioxidant supplementation on duodenal se-met absorption in ethanol-exposed rat offspring in vivo

The nutritional deficiencies provoked by ethanol consumption, during gestation or lactation, can contribute to multiple birth defects in offspring. In order to improve our knowledge about selenium (Se) distribution in pups exposed to ethanol, the present study evaluated the effect of this drug on intestinal development and determined its action on duodenal absorption of selenomethionine (Se-Met). To determinate if supplementation could improve Se absorption and its serum values, we used two antioxidant supplemented regimens on dams, with selenium alone or selenium plus folic acid, and obtained six groups of pups: C (control), A (alcohol), CS (control + Se), AS (alcohol + Se), CFS (control + Se + folic acid) and AFS (alcohol + Se + folic acid). Duodenal Se-Met transport was performed using an in vivo perfusion method. Se levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The supplemented diets utilized had a positive influence on body growth, duodenal perimeter and Se content in ethanol-exposed pups. Ethanol exposure increased Se-Met duodenal absorption in all pups, supplemented or not, presenting the highest values of maximal velocity (V max) compared with their control counterparts. The affinity constant (K m) increased according to rank: A>AS>AFS groups. These results suggest that although antioxidant supplementation does not restore Se-Met absorption to normal values, it enhances the affinity of the transporters for the substrate and improves the damage caused by ethanol in the duodenal mucos

Effect of Distal Small Bowel Resection on Bile Salt Absorption in Caecum

It is well known that surgical resection of the small bowel results in adaptive changes in the residual intestine (7, 13, 14). The entero-hepatic circulation of bile saits, which is responsible for main­ taining constant bile salt pool, is also impaired by intestinal resection. Bile salts are largely reabsorbed by an active trans­ port mechanism in the ileum (3, 8), and to a lesser extent by passive diffusion in the jejunum, caecum and colo