Distal small bowel resection does not modify the intestinal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase activity.

The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase (HMG-CoA red.) has been evaluated in rat jejunal, caecal and colonic mucosa adapting to 50% or 75% distal small bowel resection (SBR). Six wk after surgery, the total activity and the activity state (active form) of the enzyme were determined. The results show that HMG-CoA red. activity was stimulated per organ but not per unit mass in the mucosa adapting to SBR. As a side result, we noted regional differences in the active/total reductase ratio (RA/RT) for HMG-CoA red. that was lower in small intestine compared with that of the large intestine.