TY - JOUR
T1 - Small intestinal growth caused by feeding red kidney bean phytohemagglutinin lectin to rats
AU - Banwell, John G.
AU - Howard, Richard
AU - Kabir, Iqbal
AU - Adrian, Thomas E.
AU - Diamond, Robert H.
AU - Abramowsky, Carlos
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported by grant DK31093
PY - 1993/6
Y1 - 1993/6
N2 - Background: Plant lectins are present in significant quantity in a variety of food sources. The aim of this study was to determine if they stimulated growth of the intestine. Methods: Germ-free and conventional rats were pair fed purified phytohemagglutinin lectin (PHA) or equivalent casein in a fully nutritious diet. PHA was instilled into in situ jejunal and ileal loops. Organ weight, length, DNA, protein content, morphometry, and [3H]thymidine uptake into jejunal crypt cells were measured. Results: A trophic response occurred in the small intestine (jejunum greater than ileum) because of PHA (P < 0.001), was sustained by continued exposure, and was reversible on reinstitution of the control diet (P < 0.05). The intestinal microbial flora in conventional animals that were fed PHA augmented the growth-stimulatory effects of PHA on intestinal weight (P < 0.01). PHA caused fecal protein, fat, and mucous glycoprotein levels (P < 0.001) to increase in germfree animals. PHA increased jejunal mucosal crypt depth and crypt mitotic activity (P < 0.05); DNA content (P < 0.05) and [3H]thymidine uptake (P < 0.01) into crypt cells was increased. No increase in plasma or tissue content of gastrin, enteroglucagon, or peptide YY was observed on PHA exposure, and there was no increase in organ weight of the liver, kidney, or colon. Conclusions: PHA stimulated growth of rat small intestine when present in the diet or instilled in the bowel lumen.
AB - Background: Plant lectins are present in significant quantity in a variety of food sources. The aim of this study was to determine if they stimulated growth of the intestine. Methods: Germ-free and conventional rats were pair fed purified phytohemagglutinin lectin (PHA) or equivalent casein in a fully nutritious diet. PHA was instilled into in situ jejunal and ileal loops. Organ weight, length, DNA, protein content, morphometry, and [3H]thymidine uptake into jejunal crypt cells were measured. Results: A trophic response occurred in the small intestine (jejunum greater than ileum) because of PHA (P < 0.001), was sustained by continued exposure, and was reversible on reinstitution of the control diet (P < 0.05). The intestinal microbial flora in conventional animals that were fed PHA augmented the growth-stimulatory effects of PHA on intestinal weight (P < 0.01). PHA caused fecal protein, fat, and mucous glycoprotein levels (P < 0.001) to increase in germfree animals. PHA increased jejunal mucosal crypt depth and crypt mitotic activity (P < 0.05); DNA content (P < 0.05) and [3H]thymidine uptake (P < 0.01) into crypt cells was increased. No increase in plasma or tissue content of gastrin, enteroglucagon, or peptide YY was observed on PHA exposure, and there was no increase in organ weight of the liver, kidney, or colon. Conclusions: PHA stimulated growth of rat small intestine when present in the diet or instilled in the bowel lumen.
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U2 - 10.1016/0016-5085(93)90644-R
DO - 10.1016/0016-5085(93)90644-R
M3 - Article
C2 - 8500725
AN - SCOPUS:0027320974
SN - 0016-5085
VL - 104
SP - 1669
EP - 1677
JO - Gastroenterology
JF - Gastroenterology
IS - 6
ER -