Increase of intestinal brush border hydrolases in mucosa of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Summary Experimental diabetes mellitus in rats was induced by streptozotocin. Five days after administration of streptozotocin intestinal brush border hydrolases (maltase, sucrase, trehalase, lactase) and alkaline phosphatase were markedly elevated at all levels of the small intestine as measured in the total homogenate and in the isolated brush border preparation. Insulin treatment beginning 15 h after administration of streptozotocin was able to decrease the increased disaccharidase activity due to streptozotocin diabetes. In experimental diabetes mellitus of rats trransport as well as digestive functions of the intestinal mucosa are stimulated.This work has been presented at the meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation, Scheveningen, The Netherlands, April 1972 and has appeared in abstract form (1a)