Rat intestinal brush border enzymes release by deoxycholate in vivo.

The release of proteins, sucrase (SA), maltase (MA), leucine aminopeptidase (LA) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity from rat jejunum by sodium deoxycholate (DOC) was studied by an in vivo perfusion technique. In our experimental conditions, a 2 mmol/1 DOC perfusion for 30 min induced a marked and reversible release of proteins and hydrolases. When specific activities were considered, each enzyme showed a distinct release pattern. Significantly, the SA release was largely increased, the AP release was decreased and there was no correlation between the releases of SA and AP. Furthermore, the various enzymes recovered into the lumen were solubilized at different extents. SA was chiefly present in a soluble and AP in a particular form. The microscopical appearances showed a slight exfoliation of the epithelial cells from the villous tips but no specific changes when compared to the control group. The results are discussed in terms of enzymic localization in the brush border membrane; SA would be located very superficially in the surface membrane and AP buried in the membrane and less accessible than the other enzymes.