PGE(2) INHIBITS GLUCOSE-UPTAKE IN ISOLATED VILLOUS EPITHELIAL-CELLS OF THE OVINE SMALL-INTESTINE

This study was designed to clarify whether PGE(2) directly inhibits gl ucose absorption in villous cells. For this purpose, isolated villous epithelial cells of the ovine small intestine were used, and the uptak e of C-14-labelled glucose in the absorptive epithelial cells was meas ured in the presence and absence of 0.2 mM phlorizin or 10 mu M PGE(2) . In isolated villous epithelial cells of the small intestine in sheep , net glucose absorption was reduced by 68.2% in the presence of phlor izin. This result indicates that most of the glucose in ruminants is a bsorbed by the specific transporter SGLT1, which is sensitive to phlor izin. PGE(2) decreased glucose absorption by 26.5% in isolated villous epithelial cells in sheep, although this glucose absorption did not c hange in the presence of phlorizin. This result clearly indicates the PGE(2) inhibits the phlorizin-sensitive glucose absorptive process thr ough direct action on the villous cells of ruminants.