AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The effect of alloxan-induced maternal diabetes has been studied on the postnatal development of brush border enzymes in rat intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by injecting alloxan in rat mothers on day 3 of gestation. RESULTS: There was no change in gestational period (22 days) in control and diabetic groups; however, the litter size was reduced (P < 0.001) in diabetic mothers compared with controls. Body weight of pups born to diabetic mothers was significantly low up to 45 days of postnatal age compared with controls. Analysis of brush border enzymes revealed elevated levels of lactase (76%), sucrase (46%), maltase (25%), trehalase (38%), alkaline phosphatase (57%), and leucine aminopeptidase (56%) up to 21 days of postnatal age in diabetic group compared with controls. However, in 30- to 45-day-old animals, the enzyme levels were either reduced in diabetic group or there was no change compared with controls. Western blot analysis corroborated the enzyme analysis data in purified brush borders. Also, 45 days after birth, the intestinal uptake of D-glucose and glycine was significantly high (30%-61%) in pups from diabetic dams compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that alloxan-induced maternal diabetes influences the postnatal development of intestine and the expression of various brush border enzymes and transport functions in rat intestine. This could affect the growth and development of the offspring during the postnatal period.
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The effect of alloxan-induced maternal diabetes has been studied on the postnatal development of brush border enzymes in rat intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Diabetes was induced by injecting alloxan in rat mothers on day 3 of gestation. RESULTS: There was no change in gestational period (22 days) in control and diabetic groups; however, the litter size was reduced (P < 0.001) in diabetic mothers compared with controls. Body weight of pups born to diabetic mothers was significantly low up to 45 days of postnatal age compared with controls. Analysis of brush border enzymes revealed elevated levels of lactase (76%), sucrase (46%), maltase (25%), trehalase (38%), alkaline phosphatase (57%), and leucine aminopeptidase (56%) up to 21 days of postnatal age in diabetic group compared with controls. However, in 30- to 45-day-old animals, the enzyme levels were either reduced in diabetic group or there was no change compared with controls. Western blot analysis corroborated the enzyme analysis data in purified brush borders. Also, 45 days after birth, the intestinal uptake of D-glucose and glycine was significantly high (30%-61%) in pups from diabetic dams compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that alloxan-induced maternal diabetes influences the postnatal development of intestine and the expression of various brush border enzymes and transport functions in rat intestine. This could affect the growth and development of the offspring during the postnatal period.