Effect of Alloxan-Induced Diabetes on Intestinal Peptidases in the Rat*

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Abstract
Intestinal transport of amino acids, similar to sugar absorption, is enhanced in experimental diabetes. Because peptidases play a significant role in peptide digestion, the effect of diabetes on intestinal peptidases was examined. Leucyl-naphthylamidase and leucyl-glycine hydrolase (brush border peptidases) and prolyl-glycine hydrolase (cytosol peptidase) were assayed in the brush border and cytosol fraction in diabetic rats 7 days after alloxan administration. Mucosal weight, protein concentration and total and specific activity of leucyl-naphthylamidase and leucyl-glycine hydrolase were significantly increased in diabetes in the brush border but not in the cytosol fraction. Prolylglycine hydrolase was not affected in cytosol fraction or brush border. Brush border peptidases are increased in experimental diabetes. This adaptive response of the small intestinal mucosa is similar to disaccharidase elevation and alteration in the intestinal absorptive function which occurs in experimental diabetes.