In vitro accumulation of amino acids by intestinal strips from normal and essential fatty acid-deficient rats

Abstract

1. 1. Steady-state accumulation of phenylalanine, leucine, glutamic acid and lysine by the small intestine from rats fed corn oil (control) or hydrogenated coconut oil (essential fatty acid-deficient) was studied by an in vitro technique. 2. 2. On a unit length basis, the mid-to-distal sections of the intestine were most active in accumulating the amino acids. Accumulation of phenylalanine by the middle and distal sections, and of leucine by all three sections of small intestine, was significantly greater in control than in deficient rats. No significant dietary effects were noted in the uptake of glutamic acid or lysine per unit length of rat small intestine. 3. 3. When data were expressed on a tissue-dry weight basis, bimodal uptake patterns were evident with maxima usually in the proximal and distal regions of the intestine. Accumulation of phenylalanine, leucine and lysine was significantly greater in some intestinal sections from deficient rats on this basis. These data reflect variations in dry weight per unit length throughout the intestine and the lower weight per unit length observed in the intestine of the deficient animals.