In vivo intestinal transport of D-glucose and D-xylose in vinblastine treated rats

Abstract

Vinblastine sulfate is known to arrest the cellular mitosis of the crypts of Lieberkuhn leading thereby to alteration in mucosal morphology. A study was undertaken to observe whether such drug-induced altered mucosal morphology has any bearing on the intestinal transport of sugars. The mucosal morphology of small intestine of rats was therefore altered to various degrees by four hourly injections of vinblastine sulfate (1.0 mg/kg body weight, ip). The intestinal transport of D-glucose and D-xylose was studied in these animals by an in vivo sac technique. The transport rate of these sugars did not deviate appreciably in animals treated for 4 to 8 hr. On further prolongation of vinblastine treatment, however, a significant reduction in the transport rate of D-glucose and D-xylose was observed. The intestinal transport systems for both the monosaccharides were affected identically. This decreased transport rate has been explained on the basis of altered mucosal morphology of small intestine.