Abstract
The effects of exercise on nutrient digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract are not well understood. A few studies have reported that exercise training increases the expression of molecules involved in carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Exercise was also shown to increase the blood concentration of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), which regulates carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Therefore, we investigated the effects of exercise on the expression of molecules involved in intestinal digestion and absorption, including GLP-2. Six-week-old male mice were divided into a sedentary (SED) and low-intensity exercise (LEx) group. LEx mice were required to run on a treadmill (12.5 m/min, 1 h), whereas SED mice rested. All mice were euthanized 1 h after exercise or rest, and plasma, jejunum, ileum, and colon samples were collected, followed by analysis via IHC, EIA, and immunoblotting. The levels of plasma GLP-2 and the jejunum expression of the GLP-2 receptor, sucrase-isomaltase (SI), and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) were higher in LEx mice. Thus, we showed that acute low-intensity exercise affects the expression of molecules involved in intestinal carbohydrate digestion and absorption via GLP-2. Our results suggest that exercise might be beneficial for small intestine function in individuals with intestinal frailty.
Highlights
We did not observe any change in blood lactate lactate concentrations concentrations (Figure 1)
This study exercise onon thethe expression of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) and and carcarbohydrate digestion/absorption-related molecules in the intestine
We report the effects of exercise on carbohydrate digestion and absorption within the small intestine, as carbohydrates constitute one of the major nutrient sources for humans
Summary
Several studies have demonstrated the effects of exercise on various organs, and, more recently, its effects on the small intestine have been reported [7,8]. Two studies have reported the effects of exercise on the expression of intestinal glucose transporters. Kondo et al reported that six weeks of swimming exercise induced substantial alterations in pancreatic digestive capability as well as in the absorptive capability of the small intestine in rats [15]. Exercise might be effective in improving the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates within the small intestine. If low-intensity exercise can be performed by patients in order to enhance carbohydrate digestion and absorption within the small intestine, it will be of major clinical benefit
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