Influence of Remote Cancer and Obesity on, and Distribution of Mucosal Enzymes in, the Upper Small Intestine

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Abstract
A series of mucosal enzymes were estimated by analysis of homogenized biopsy specimens from the lower duodenal flexure, obtained from 10 large-bowel carcinoma patients, 15 patients with morbid obesity, and 15 control. In 11 subjects the distribution along the upper small intestine was determined. The activities of the brush border enzymes lactase (p < 0.01), neutral-.alpha.-glucosidase (p < 0.01), and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05) were significantly lower the large-bowel carcinoma patients than in the controls. In obese subjects significantly lower activities (p < 0.05) were demonstrated for the basolateral membrane enzyme 5''-nucleotidase and the lysosomal enzymes N-acetyl-.beta.-D-glucosaminidase and acid .beta.-glucuronidase, when compared with those in controls. Compared with the enzyme levels of the duodenal bulb, significantly higher activities of a series of enzymes were demonstrated at both the lower duodenal flexure and the angle of Treitz.