The effect of long R 3 insulin-like growth factor-I on jejunal glucose absorption in mice

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of long R 3 insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on jejunal glucose transport in mice. Jejunal rings from 4 mice were incubated for 10 min at 37°C in transport media containing 0, 150 or 500 ng long R 3 IGF-I/ml. Uptake of glucose measured during the last 5 min of incubation was similar among the three treatments. In the second experiment, 8 mice were subcutaneously injected once-daily with 0 or 150 μg long R 3 IGF-I/kg BW for 3 d. Treatment with long R 3 IGF-I did not affect jejunal glucose absorption. Weight of the stomach and small and large intestine were similar for both groups, however, treatment with long R 3 IGF-I reduced the length of the small intestine (P<0.05). There was also a tendency for jejunal villus height (P<0.1) and thickness of the muscle layers (P<0.11) to be reduced by long R 3 IGF-I. Short-term administration of long R 3 IGF-I does not appear to cause alterations in intestinal absorption of glucose.