Use of an orally administered combined sugar solution to evaluate intestinal absorption and permeability in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intestinal permeability and absorption in healthy cats in association with diet and normal intestinal microflora.


METHODS
6 healthy domestic shorthair cats.


METHODS
A sugar solution containing D-xylose, 30-methyl-D-glucose, L-rhamnose, lactulose, and 51Cr-EDTA was administered intragastrically to healthy cats, and urinary excretion of ingested sugars was determined 5 hours after administration. After the same cats had received metronidazole for 1 month, the study was repeated. A final study was performed while cats were maintained on a new diet differing in composition and processing.


RESULTS
Lactulose-to-rhamnose ratios, reflecting intestinal permeability, were higher in cats, compared with values for humans or dogs, and values obtained before and after metronidazole administration (mean +/- SEM; before, 0.40 +/- 0.08; after, 0.45 +/- 0.09) were not significantly different. Intestinal absorption also was unaltered after antibiotic administration, and the xylose-to-glucose ratio was 0.70 +/- 0.03 before and 0.71 +/- 0.06 after metronidazole administration. Sugar recovery did not differ significantly while cats were maintained on canned or dry food.


CONCLUSIONS
Reference ranges were established for the percentage urinary recovery of orally administered D-xylose, 3-0-methyl-D-glucose, L-rhamnose, lactulose, and 51Cr-EDTA obtained after 5 hours in healthy cats. The intestines of cats appear to be more permeable than those of other species, although the normal bacterial microflora does not appear to influence the integrity or function of the feline intestine, because values obtained for the measured variables before or after antibiotic administration were not significantly different. In addition, differences were not detected when the diet was completely altered.
Johnston
K L
KL
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
Ballèvre
O P
OP
Batt
R M
RM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004285:Dogs; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D012210:Rhamnose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012996:Solutions
D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D009005:Monosaccharides; D012996:Solutions; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012210:Rhamnose