title: A protein-free diet alters small intestinal architecture and digestive enzyme activities in rats.
abstract: The consequences of feeding a protein-free (PF) diet, as compared to casein, on gut characteristics were studied in slightly energy-restricted rats fed similar amounts of feed for 10 d. The weight and pH of fresh digesta in the stomach were lower (P = 0.045 and P = 0.016). However, the weight of fresh digesta in the other segments and gut tissue weight were not significantly affected by the diet (P > 0.05). Small intestinal crypt depth, width and area were reduced by 13, 23 and 37%, respectively (P = 0.011, P = 0.004 and P = 0.001), and villus width tended to be smaller (P = 0.057), with the PF diet. Villus height to crypt depth ratio was also lower with the PF diet in the duodenum and ileum, respectively (P < 0.05). Finally, the specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase N were reduced by 36 to 38% at different sites of the small intestine in the rats fed the PF diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic consumption of a protein-free diet altered the intestinal villus-crypt architecture and enzyme activities in rats.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Departamento de Produccion Animal, Carrera 32 Chapinero, Palmira (Valle), Colombia.
authors.forename: Carlos Alexander
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leterme
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lalles
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002364:Caseins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D009929:Organ Size; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D018826:CD13 Antigens