Distal Small Intestine (distal + small_intestine)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on the actions of glucagon-like peptide-1

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 6 2002
Jens Juul Holst
Abstract GLP-1 is a peptide hormone from the intestinal mucosa. It is secreted in response to meal ingestion and normally functions in the so-called ileal brake, that is, inhibition of upper gastrointestinal motility and secretion when nutrients are present in the distal small intestine. It also induces satiety and promotes tissue deposition of ingested glucose by stimulating insulin secretion. Thus, it is an essential incretin hormone. In addition, the hormone has been demonstrated to promote insulin biosynthesis and insulin gene expression and to have trophic effects on the beta cells. The trophic effects include proliferation of existing beta cells, maturation of new cells from duct progenitor cells and inhibition of apoptosis. Furthermore, glucagon secretion is inhibited. Because of these effects, the hormone effectively improves metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, continuous subcutaneous administration of the peptide for six weeks in patients with rather advanced disease greatly improved glucose profiles and lowered body weight, haemoglobin A1C, and free fatty acids (FFA). In addition, insulin sensitivity doubled and insulin responses to glucose were greatly improved. There were no side effects. Continuous administration is necessary because of rapid degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-IV. Alternative approaches include the use of analogues that are resistant to the actions of the enzyme, as well as inhibitors of the enzyme. Both approaches have shown remarkable efficacy in both experimental and clinical studies. The GLP-1-based therapy of type 2 diabetes, therefore, represents a new and attractive alternative. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Site-specific contribution of proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009
Tomoharu Yokooji
Abstract Objectives Methotrexate is reportedly a substrate for proton-coupled folate transporter/haem carrier protein 1 (PCFT/HCP1) and reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1). In this study, we examined the contribution of PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1 in the intestinal absorption of methotrexate in rats. Methods Western blot analysis was carried out to evaluate the protein levels of PCFT/HCP1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in brush-border membrane of rat small intestine. Mucosal uptake of methotrexate was studied in the rat everted small intestine and an in-situ intestinal perfusion study of methotrexate was also carried out in rats. Key findings In transport studies using everted intestine, the mucosal methotrexate influx rate in proximal intestine at pH 5.5 was significantly greater than that at pH 7.4. Coadministration of folate or its analogues, such as folinate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, substrates for both PCFT/HCP1 and RFC1, significantly suppressed the methotrexate influx at pH 5.5, whereas thiamine pyrophosphate, an inhibitor for RFC1 alone, exerted no significant effect. Western blot analysis showed higher PCFT/HCP1 expression in proximal than distal small intestine. In distal small intestine, methotrexate influx rate was low and was not pH dependent. Also, folate and its analogues exerted no significant effect on methotrexate absorption. Conclusions Based on the present and our previous results, the site-specific contributions of various transporters including PCFT/HCP1 in methotrexate intestinal absorption were discussed. The variation in luminal pH and the involvement of multiple transporters in methotrexate absorption may cause variation in oral bioavailability among patients. [source]


Experimental pancreatitis disturbs gastrointestinal and colonic motility in mice: effect of the prokinetic agent tegaserod

NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 10 2007
T. C. Seerden
Abstract, Acute pancreatitis remains a potentially life-threatening disease associated with gastrointestinal motility disturbances. Prokinetic agents may be useful to overcome these motility disturbances. In this study, we investigated the effect of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) on gastrointestinal motility in female mice and evaluated the effect of tegaserod, a prokinetic 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 (5HT4) receptor agonist. ANP was induced by feeding mice a choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented diet during 72 h. In vivo intestinal motility was measured as the geometric centre (GC) of 25 glass beads 30-120-360 min after gavage. Colonic peristaltic activity was studied using a modified Trendelenburg set-up. ANP significantly decreased GC 30-120-360 min after bead gavage, associated with a significant increase of myeloperoxidase in the proximal small intestine and colon, but not in the stomach or distal small intestine. Tegaserod significantly ameliorated GC 360 min after bead gavage in control and pancreatitis mice. In isolated colonic segments, ANP significantly decreased the amplitude of peristaltic waves and increased the interval between peristaltic contractions. Tegaserod normalized the disturbed interval. In conclusion, ANP impairs gastric, small intestinal and colonic motility in mice. Tegaserod improves ANP-induced motility disturbances in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a therapeutic benefit of prokinetic 5HT4 receptor agonists in the treatment of pancreatitis-induced ileus. [source]


Food Restriction Inhibits the Growth of Intestinal Polyps in Multiple Intestinal Neoplasia Mouse

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002
Masakazu Kakuni
The effect of food restriction (FR) on spontaneous intestinal carcinogenesis in multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice was examined. Thirty male Min mice were allotted to ad libitum feeding control and 20% FR groups from six weeks of age until the end of the 13-week experimental period. Although the total number of visible intestinal polyps in the FR group was not significantly different from the control group value, a significant decrease in large-sized polyps (>2 mm) and an increase in small-sized polyps (>2 mm) were observed in the distal small intestine. In this segment, the percentage of apoptotic cells counted in intestinal polyps in the FR group was significantly higher than in the control group, the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells not being significantly different. These results indicate that the FR may inhibit the growth of intestinal polyps in the Min mouse, and that apoptosis contributed in part to the inhibitory effect. [source]