LECTINS AND ALSO BACTERIA MODIFY THE GLYCOSYLATION OF GUT SURFACE-RECEPTORS IN THE RAT

Oral exposure to lectins or the presence or absence of bacteria in the rat small intestine were shown by histological methods using anti-lec tin antibodies or digoxigenin-labelled lectins to have major effects o n the state of glycosylation of lumenal membranes and cytoplasmic glyc oconjugates of epithelial cells. Taken together with the dramatic effe cts of exposure to lectins on gut function, metabolism and bacterial e cology, this can be used as a basis for new perspectives of biomedical manipulations to improve health.