IMPAIRED INTESTINAL SUGAR-TRANSPORT IN CIRRHOTIC RATS - CORRECTION BYLOW-DOSES OF INSULIN-LIKE-GROWTH-FACTOR-I

Background & Aims: Malnutrition is a complication of liver cirrhosis a ccompanied by reduced insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) availabilit y, The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of IGF-I on intesti nal D-galactose absorption in cirrhotic rats, Methods: IGF-I (2 mu g.1 00 g body wt(-1).day(-1)) or saline were given for 14 days to rats in whom cirrhosis was induced with CCl4. Galactose transport and sodium-g lucose/galactose-ligand transporter 1 (SGLT-1) expression were assesse d in jejunal rings and in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs), Resu lts Compared with that in controls, galactose transport in everted jej unal rings was significantly reduced in cirrhotic vats but showed norm al values after IGF-I treatment, The kinetic study of D-galactose upta ke by BBMVs showed decreased maximal velocity (V-max) and diminished t ransporter affinity in cirrhotic rats. These kinetic parameters revert ed to normal after IGF-I treatment. Microvilli were significantly elon gated in cirrhotic rats but of normal size in the IGF-I-treated group. The expression of SGLT-1 on BBMVs (Western blot) and on the luminal m embrane of enterocytes (immunohistochemistry) was not reduced in cirrh otic animals compared with controls or IGF-treated cirrhotic rats, Con clusions: Intestinal sugar transport is disturbed in experimental cirr hosis, and this alteration is corrected by IGF-I.