Effect of lithium ingestion on digestive and absorptive function of rat intestine.
The long-term effect of lithium treatment on the digestive and absorptive function has been investigated in male albino rats. The uptake of D-glucose, amino acids and activities of cellular and brush border enzymes were evaluated after every 3 months. Significantly increased uptake was observed in 6-month lithium-treated rats. The absorptive capacity (Vmax) for D-glucose increased significantly without alteration in the Michaelis constant. Activities of cellular, brush border membrane disaccharidase, leucine aminopeptidase and Na+,K+-ATPase enzymes were significantly augmented in 6-month lithium-treated animals. The elevation in sucrase activity may be due to induction of enzyme since only Vmax was increased in lithium-treated animals. The present biochemical alterations suggest that long-term lithium ingestion stimulates the small bowel digestive and absorptive functions.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D007700:Kinetics; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology
D000596:Amino Acids; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium; D005947:Glucose