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Aging-associated increase in intestinal permeability to polyethylene glycol 900

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 32, pages 285–288 (1987)Cite this article

Abstract

Effect of aging on the intestinal permeability to medium size [3H]polyethylene glycol (PEG 900) was examinedin vivo by gavage andin vitro in intestinal everted sacs of rats ranging in age from 5 to 102 weeks. Rats were gavaged with PEG 900 solution and urinary recovery of PEG 900 was measured for 6 hr in order to assess its absorption. Young rats, 5–15 weeks of age, absorbed 1–1.3% of administered PEG 900. In contrast, rats 35–102 weeks of age absorbed 1.8–2.4% of administered PEG 900 (P<0.05 vs younger animals). The increased absorption of PEG 900 with aging is due to changes in intestinal permeability since the total uptake (serosal appearance + tissue uptake) of PEG 900 by jejunum, ileum, and colonic everted sacs was significantly higher (P<0.05) in older rats (100 weeks) than young rats (9 1/2 weeks), while urinary excretion of PEG 900 following intravenous injection was the same in the two age groups. These studies indicate that aging rats have diminished capacity to exclude larger size molecules from penetrating the intestinal mucosa. The diminished barrier functions of the small intestine with aging may allow antigenic or mutagenic compounds to reach the systemic circulation.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, 92717, Irvine, California

    Daniel Katz,  Daniel Hollander, Hamid M. Said & Violeta Dadufalza

Authors
  1. Daniel Katz
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  2. Daniel Hollander
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  3. Hamid M. Said
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  4. Violeta Dadufalza
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Additional information

These studies were supported by grant AG2767 from the National Institutes on Aging and by the Goldsmith Family Foundations.

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Katz, D., Hollander, D., Said, H.M. et al. Aging-associated increase in intestinal permeability to polyethylene glycol 900. Digest Dis Sci 32, 285–288 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297055

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297055

Keywords

  • Small Intestine
  • Intravenous Injection
  • Urinary Excretion
  • Barrier Function
  • Intestinal Mucosa