title: High-methoxyl pectin has greater enhancing effect on glucose uptake in intestinal perfused rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pectins have been known to decrease blood glucose levels. However, the mechanism of this effect is unclear. The direct action of various pectins (high- or low-methoxyl pectins) on the intestinal absorption of glucose was investigated in gut-perfused rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  After equilibrium, jejunal and ileal segments were simultaneously perfused with an isotonic electrolyte solution (pH 7.4) containing glucose (10 mM/L) and high- or low-methoxyl pectins (10 g/L). Each test or control solution was perfused in a random sequence, with perfusion times of 30 min. Changes in glucose concentration of perfusate solution reservoir were determined over the experimental period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High- and low-methoxyl pectins in the perfusate significantly inhibited jejunal uptake of glucose compared with the control (P < 0.05). High-methoxyl pectins had greater inhibitive effect on intestinal absorption of glucose than low-methoxyl pectins. The observed changes in glucose and water absorptions caused by high- or low-methoxyl pectins were reversible by switching to a pectin-free perfusate. In addition, net water absorption changed to secretion after addition of high- or low-methoxyl pectins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the decrease in intestinal absorption of glucose observed after perfusion of high- or low-methoxyl pectins may be caused by viscosity-related increases in mucosal unstirred layer thickness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Risk Analysis, National Institute of Toxicological Research, Korea Food and Drug Administration, Seoul, Korea. meehkim@kfda.go.kr
authors.forename: Meehye
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010368:Pectins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D010368:Pectins; D005947:Glucose