Effects of the chemical forms and valency states of neptunium on its jejunal transfer in the rat

The transfer of various Np(IV) and Np(V) chemical forms across the small intestine of rats was measured in instilled and perfused jejunum. Instillation of Np(V) nitrate together with citrate or DTPA resulted in the same absorption of Np as after instillation of Np(V) nitrate alone (3 per cent per hour). Perfusion of Np(V) nitrate with bicarbonate or DTPA resulted in a similar transfer (2 per cent) but added citrate or ascorbate resulted in reduced transfer (0.8 per cent). Addition of phytate reduced Np transfer in both instilled and perfused jejunum (0.4 per cent). Np(IV) transfer was usually the same as, or less than that of, the corresponding Np(V) forms. Np(IV) transfer was similar in perfused and instilled jejunum, increasing from 0.2 per cent in the presence of citrate and phytate, to 1 per cent with EDTA and DTPA. Except for phytate, all the forms of Np(V) tested behaved like Np(V) nitrate after transfer from the intestine or after intravenous injection. By contrast, the behaviour of Np(IV) varied for all the forms tested and, for a given form, varied as a function of the experimental procedure used, i.e. jejunal instillation, perfusion, or intravenous injection. These findings suggest that the intestinal transfer of Np might occur via the intercellular pathway, and that it is controlled by both the molecular weight of the Np compound and its stability constant.     

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on small intestinal contractility and transit.

Isometric tension in response to ANF (10(-10) to 10(-4) M) was recorded from longitudinally and circularly oriented rat jejunal smooth muscle strips. Conscious, fasted rats received an IV infusion of 1.25 nmol ANF/100 g body weight in 0.5 ml normal saline and controls received saline alone. Five minutes later 10 muCi Na2 51CrO4 in 0.5 ml saline was instilled through a jejunostomy. Fifteen minutes later animals were sacrificed, and the gut divided into 8 equal segments of small intestine, cecum and remaining colon. The radioactivity of each segment was measured and a geometric center of transit determined for each group. ANF induced relaxation of longitudinally oriented strips (Tm = -72.3 +/- 10.7 mN/g, ED50 7.3 +/- 3.6 x 10(-8) M), and contraction of circularly oriented strips (Tm = 35.0 +/- 5.0 mN/g, ED50 1.3 +/- 1.0 x 10(-8) M). This response was unaffected by 10(-6) M tetrodotoxin. The geometric mean center of transit was significantly (p less than 0.001) further aboral in ANF-treated compared to control animals (intestinal segment 4.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.2).     

A new model of pacing in the mouse intestine

A simple model of pacing in mouse intestine to longitudinal (LM) as well as circular muscle (CM) has been developed. Undissected segments of LM or CM from mouse ileum or jejunum were prepared to record contractions, nerve functions were inhibited, and regular spontaneous contractions were recorded. These had the properties expected of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) paced contractions: ileum slower than jejunum, inhibited but not abolished by nicardipine, reduced in frequency by cyclopiazonic acid, abolished by Ca(2+)-free media, and high temperature dependence (Q10 approximately 2.6-3.2). Nicardipine significantly reduced the pacing frequency in LM and CM. Intestinal segments from W/W(V) mice had few irregular contractions in CM but had regular contractions in LM. Other differences were found between LM and CM that suggest that the control of pacing of LM differed from pacing of CM. Moreover, both LM and CM segments in wild-type and W/W(V) and after cyclopiazonic acid responded to electrical pacing (50 V/cm, 50 or 100 ms) at 1 pulse per second. Temperature <26 degrees C inhibited electrically paced contractions in CM. These findings suggest that the current models of ICC pacing need to be modified to apply to intact segments of mouse intestine.     

The effects of insulin on glucose and fluid transport in the isolated small intestine of normal rats

Chronically administered insulin returns enhanced maximal glucose transport capacity induced by diabetes to its normal state. In this study, the direct and acute effects of insulin on glucose transport in different parts of isolated small intestine were investigated. Mucosal Fluid Transport (MFT), Mucosal Glucose Transport (MGT) and Serosal Glucose Transport (SGT) were measured in the presence and absence of insulin in averted sacs, prepared from female Wistar rats. This study shows that the presence of insulin in vitro (40 and 80 microU/mL) can reduce MGT and SGT in different segments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) after 30 min whereas it had no effect on MFT. Mucosal glucose transfer rates in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the controls were 6.07+/-0.4, 6.34+/-0.62 and 6.43+/-0.47 mg/g tissue respectively which were significantly reduced to 3.82+/-0.93, 3.60+/-0.50 and 1.17+/-0.45 in the presence of 80 microU/mL of insulin. Serosal glucose transfer too was decreased significantly from 0.3+/-0.05, 0.57+/-0.07 and 0.43+/-.07 in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum to 0.16+/-0.03, 0.16+/-0.04 and .07+/-.02 respectively. Mucosal fluid transfer was not affected by insulin. Insulin was as effective whether it was added on the mucosal or the serosal side. The results of this study show that insulin can directly affect glucose transport in the small intestine; its physiological role must be examined. Direct effect of insulin deficiency on glucose absorption in diabetic patients may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease.     

Thiamine intestinal transport and phosphorylation : a study in vitro of potential inhibitors of small intestinal thiamine-pyrophosphokinase using a crude enzymatic preparation.

Using as enzymatic source the cytoplasmatic fraction of enterocytes isolated from the rat small intestine, thiamine-pyrophosphokinase activity was studied with a radiometric method using [thiazole-2-(14)C] thiamine. The Km value for thiamine was 2.14 X 10(-6) M and V 0.87 nmol of thiamine pyrophosphate mg-1 protein h-1. Eleven thiamine structural analogs and derivatives were assayed for their inhibitory action on the small intestine thiamine-pyrophosphokinase activity. Their Ki values were : pyrithiamine, 2.25 X 10(-6) M; thiamine monophosphate, 4 X 10(-6) M; 2'-ethylthiamine, 8 X 10(-6) M; 2'-butylthiamine, 6 X 10(-6) M; chloroethylthiamine and dimethalium, 1.5 X 10(-5) M; amprolium, 1.8 X 10(-4) M; L-582571, 1.65 X 10(-4) M; oxythiamine, 4.2 X 10(-3) M. Of the miscellaneous compounds tested (toxopyrimidine, Na-pyrophosphate, choline, L-phenylalanine, ethyl-urethane and 5-fluorouracil), none had any inhibitory action on intestinal thiamine-pyrophosphokinase activity, even if used at concentrations hundred times higher than that of labelled thiamine.     

Expression and function of KCNH2 (HERG) in the human jejunum

Previous studies suggest that ether-a-go-go related gene (ERG) KCNH2 potassium channels contribute to the control of motility patterns in the gastrointestinal tract of animal models. The present study examines whether these results can be translated into a role in human gastrointestinal muscles. Messages for two different variants of the KCNH2 gene were detected: KCNH2 V1 human ERG (HERG) (28) and KCNH2 V2 (HERG(USO)) (13). The amount of V2 message was greater than V1 in both human jejunum and brain. The base-pair sequence that gives rise to domains S3-S5 of the channel was identical to that previously published for human KCNH2 V1 and V2. KCNH2 protein was detected immunohistochemically in circular and longitudinal smooth muscle and enteric neurons but not in interstitial cells of Cajal. In the presence of TTX (10(-6) M), atropine (10(-6) M). and l-nitroarginine (10(-4) M) human jejunal circular muscle strips contracted phasically (9 cycles/min) and generated slow waves with superimposed spikes. Low concentrations of the KCNH2 blockers E-4031 (10(-8) M) and MK-499 (3 x 10(-8) M) increased phasic contractile amplitude and the number of spikes per slow wave. The highest concentration of E-4031 (10(-6) M) produced a 10-20 mV depolarization, eliminated slow waves, and replaced phasic contractions with a small tonic contracture. E-4031 (10(-6) M) did not affect [(14)C]ACh release from enteric neurons. We conclude that KCNH2 channels play a fundamental role in the control of motility patterns in human jejunum through their ability to modulate the electrical behavior of smooth muscle cells.     

Ghrelin stimulates motility in the small intestine of rats through intrinsic cholinergic neurons

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ghrelin is a peptide discovered in endocrine cells of the stomach. Since ghrelin mRNA expression and plasma levels are elevated in the fasting state, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on the interdigestive migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) in the small intestine in vivo and compared with motor effects of ghrelin in vitro. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were supplied with a venous catheter and bipolar electrodes in the duodenum and jejunum for electromyography of small intestine in awake rats. In organ baths, isometric contractions of segments of rat jejunum were studied. RESULTS: Ghrelin dose-dependently shortened the MMC cycle length at all three recording points. At the duodenal site, the interval shortened from 17.2+/-2.0 to 9.9+/-0.8 min during infusion of ghrelin (1000 pmol kg(-1) min(-1)) and at the jejunal site from 17.5+/-2.2 to 10.5+/-0.8 min. Ghrelin contracted the muscle strips with a pD2 of 7.97+/-0.47. Atropine (10(-6) M) in vitro and (1 mg kg(-1)) in vivo blocked the effect of ghrelin. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin stimulates interdigestive motility through cholinergic neurons. Ghrelin also stimulates motility, in vitro, suggesting that ghrelin receptors are present in the intestinal neuromuscular tissue and mediate its effects via cholinergic mechanisms.     

离体外翻肠囊法研究白及提取物中6种成分的肠吸收特性

为研究白及提取物中4-(葡萄糖氧基)-肉桂酸葡萄糖氧基苄酯(B12)、2-异丁基苹果酸(B6)、1-[4-(葡萄糖氧)苄基]-2-异丁基苹果酸酯(B17)、1,4-二[4-(葡萄糖氧)苄基]-2-异丁基苹果酸酯(B14)、二氢菲1(B19)和1,4-二[4-(葡萄糖氧)苄基]-2-异丁基苹果酸酯-2-[4-O-肉桂酰基-6-O-乙酰基]葡萄糖苷(B23)6个成分在大鼠小肠中的吸收动力学特性。实验采用大鼠离体外翻肠囊模型考察各成分在不同浓度、不同肠段的吸收特性,建立超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱联用仪(UPLC-MS/MS)法测定各成分含量,计算累计吸收量和吸收速率常数。结果表明,除B6成分的低浓度外,各成分在不同浓度、不同肠段下均表现为线性吸收,其回归相关系数(R)均达到0.9以上,符合一级吸收速率,且吸收速率常数随着浓度的增加而增加,提示各成分吸收机制为被动吸收;在同一浓度下不同肠段的总体吸收趋势为十二指肠的吸收要大于回肠、结肠和空肠。综上,白及提取物中6种成分在小肠中均有吸收,但小肠对各成分的吸收具有选择性。本研究可为白及提取物的药物临床开发,确定药物剂型方面提供了一定的实验参考。     

Sensitization of rat gastrointestinal tract to acetylcholine and histamine produced by X-radiation

Abdominal x-radiation produces both acute and chronic disturbances of gastrointestinal motility. Anaesthetized Albino-Oxford rats received one-session x-radiation (absorbed dose 10 Gy) of whole abdomen. Two hours after irradiation the rats were sacrificed and segments of their gastrointestinal tract (gastric fundus, jejunum, ileum and ascending colon, were mounted in isolated organ bath. Acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine produced tonic contractions of all gut segments, while histamine did so only with gastric fundus. While contractile effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine was not affected by x-radiation, the responses of all gut segments on acetylcholine were potentiated and shifted towards lower concentrations. After x-radiation histamine produced concentration-dependent tonic contraction of previously unresponsive jejunum and ascending colon. The results of our study suggest that x-radiation produces acute sensitization of rat gastrointestinal tract to acetylcholine and histamine.     

Influence of PGF2 alpha on gastrointestinal activity in the conscious piglet.

In 5 conscious piglets with electrodes implanted on the antrum pylori, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the effect of intravenous infusion of PGF2 alpha, 1 and 10 micrograms/kg/min during 2 h, on gastrointestinal electrical activity was studied. The influence of the PG, 10(-8) to 10(-4) M, on longitudinal tissue strips from the same segments was also examined. The in vitro results demonstrate that PGF2 alpha has only a weak contractile effect on duodenal and jejunal strips. This effect was enhanced in the presence of atropine and indomethacin. In the in vivo part of the study PGF2 alpha induced an inhibition of antral electrical activity as evidenced by a prolongation of the inhibitory phases and a reduction of the frequency of the fast oscillations. In the small intestine only ileal activity was changed significantly. PGF2 alpha provoked an increase in the phase II or irregular spiking activity and an increase in the interval of the migrating myoelectrical complexes in this segment.     

Cellular Proliferation of Intestinal Epithelia in the Rat Two Months after Partial Resection of the Ileum

Sprague-Dawley rats subjected 2 months previously to partial resection (10 per cent) of the small intestine and their controls were injected with tritiated thymidine and sacrificed at 2 and 23 hours. Segments of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were autoradiographed, and the migration of the labelled cells during the period between 2 and 23 hours was measured with an eyepiece micrometer. The cells had migrated 35, 42, and 34 per cent of the total distance from the crypts to the tips of the villi in the control segments of duodenum, ileum, and jejunum respectively, and 43, 90, and 82 per cent, respectively, in similar segments from resected animals. The rate of migration in the portion of the intestine remaining after resection was approximately three times the normal rate in the ileum, twice the normal rate in the jejunum, and showed an increase of one-third in the duodenum. These results demonstrate that the rate of cell renewal is considerably greater in the remaining portion of the intestine of resected animals than in normal intestine. The increased rate of migration after resection, together with the increase in the height of the villi, resulted in an increase in the rate of cell renewal amounting to 141 per cent in the ileum, 114 per cent in the jejunum, and 23 per cent in the duodenum when compared with control segments.     

Somatostatin sst(2) receptors inhibit peristalsis in the rat and mouse jejunum

Somatostatin [somatotropin release-inhibitory factor (SRIF)] has widespread actions throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but the receptor mechanisms involved are not fully characterized. We have examined the effect of selective SRIF-receptor ligands on intestinal peristalsis by studying migrating motor complexes (MMCs) in isolated segments of jejunum from rats, mice, and sst(2)-receptor knockout mice. MMCs were recorded in 4- to 5-cm segments of jejunum mounted horizontally in vitro. MMCs occurred in rat and mouse jejunum with intervals of 104.4 +/- 10 and 131.2 +/- 8 s, respectively. SRIF, octreotide, and BIM-23027 increased the interval between MMCs, an effect fully or partially antagonized by the sst(2)-receptor antagonist Cyanamid154806. A non-sst(2) receptor-mediated component was evident in mouse as confirmed by the observation of an inhibitory action of SRIF in sst(2) knockout tissue. Blocking nitric oxide generation abolished the response to SRIF in rat but not mouse jejunum. sst(2) Receptors mediate inhibition of peristalsis in both rat and mouse jejunum, but a non-sst(2) component also exists in the mouse. Nitrergic mechanisms are differentially involved in rat and mouse jejunum.     

Effects of fasting and/or oxidizing and reducing agents on absorption of neptunium from the gastrointestinal tract of mice and adult or neonatal rats

Neptunium-237(V) nitrate was administered by gavage to groups of fed or fasted adult and 5-day-old rats. Some groups also received the oxidants quinhydrone or ferric iron, and others received the reducing agent ferrous iron. Adult mice received ferric or ferrous iron and 235Np. When the adult rats were killed at 7 days after gavage, measurements showed that, compared with rats that were fed, a 24-hr fast caused a fivefold increase in 237Np absorption and retention. Both quinhydrone and ferric iron caused an even greater increase in absorption in both fed and fasted rats. Ferrous iron, on the other hand, decreased absorption in fasted rats to values lower than those obtained in fed rats. Similar results were obtained in mice treated with 235Np and either ferric or ferrous iron. The highest absorption obtained after gavage of ferric iron to fasted rats and mice was about two orders of magnitude higher than the value obtained in animals that were fed before gavage. The effects of ferric and ferrous iron on neptunium absorption by neonatal rats were similar to their effects on adult animals but of lesser magnitude. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Np(V), when given in small mass quantities to fed animals, is reduced in the gastrointestinal tract to Np(IV), which is less well absorbed than Np(V).     

Noradrenaline as a possible mediator of angiotensin II induced fluid transport in rat ileum in vitro

In isolated segments of ileum excised from bilaterally adrenalectomized and nephrectomized rats, 10(-12) M angiotensin or 10(-3) M noradrenaline added to serosal medium stimulated both fluid transfer and NaCl transport. The alpha adrenergic antagonist phentolamine blocked the stimulation of fluid transfer induced by angiotensin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that noradrenaline may mediate the increase of intestinal fluid absorption induced by angiotensin in the rat. In segments of isolated ileum from normal rats 10(-12) M angiotensin only stimulated fluid transfer under one of the two following conditions when 10(-3) M imipramine, a noradrenaline uptake blocker, was present in the serosal medium; or when the rats had been previously treated with L-Dopa, a precursor of noradrenaline biosynthesis. These results suggested that the necessity for bilateral adrenalectomy and nephrectomy might be associated to the necessity of increasing the tissue levels of noradrenaline. Direct measurement of noradrenaline tissue content confirmed this.     

Peptide YY induces nerve-mediated responses in the guinea pig intestine.

The actions of peptide YY (PYY) were studied in longitudinal organ-bath preparations of the guinea pig intestine. PYY induced concentration-dependent (10(-9)-5 x 10(-8) M) relaxations of tissue from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. These responses were unaffected by adrenergic blockade and atropine treatment but could be prevented by tetrodotoxin. The pharmacology of PYY actions in segments of the small and large intestine indicated the involvement of intrinsic nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory neurones in the relaxation response to this peptide. All tissues could be made tachyphylactic to PYY without affecting their ability to respond to the direct acting muscle relaxants ATP or papaverine. Moreover, nicotinic ganglion stimulated relaxations and cholinergic nerve-mediated contractions were also unaffected. These results show applied PYY to have potent neurogenic actions in the guinea pig intestine with some similarities to PYY actions in the rat intestine.     

The effect of starvation on the control of phosphofructokinase activity in the epithelial cells of the rat small intestine.

1. The effect of depriving rats of food for 48 h on the specific activity of phosphofructokinase in the epithelial cells of the small intestine and on the regulatory properties of the enzyme displayed in crude (particle-free) mucosal extracts was studied. 2. The specific activity of phosphofructokinase, measured under optimal conditions at pH8, in the mucosa of fed rats showed a negative aboral gradient along the intestine, decreasing from 15.2 +/- 1.2 units (mumol/min)/g wet wt. in the proximal jejunum to 4.6 +/- 1.2 units/g wet wt. in the terminal ileum. 3. After starvation, the gradient was diminished, but not abolished; the diminution in gradient was due almost exclusively to a decrease in the specific activity of phosphofructokinase in the proximal jejunum by about 30%, there being no change in the terminal ileum. 4. In fed rats, the susceptibility of phosphofructokinase to inhibition by ATP, when assayed in crude mucosal extracts under suboptimal conditions, was independent of length along the small intestine; the ratio of the activity observed at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.5 mM-fructose 6-phosphate and 2.5 mM-ATP to the optimal activity at pH 8, v0.5/V, was 0.36 +/- 0.05 in the proximal jejunum and 0.42 +/- 0.07 in the terminal ileum. 5. After starvation, the susceptibility of phosphofructokinase to inhibition by ATP was increased and was again found to be independent of length along the small intestine: after starvation, v0.5/V was 0.19 +/- 0.04 and 0.20 +/- 0.07 for the proximal jejunum and the terminal ileum respectively. 6. Re-feeding of previously starved rats on a high-carbohydrate diet overnight for 16 h restored both the specific activities of phosphofructokinase and its susceptibility to inhibition by ATP to normal values for fed rats. 7. The data support the idea that the specific activities and the regulatory properties of phosphofructokinase in the epithelial cells of rat small intestine are mediated by distinct humoral factors. 8. The changes in glucose utilization rate of the jejunum when rats are starved can in principle be accounted for by a combination of changes in the specific activity and in the regulatory properties of mucosal phosphofructokinase.     

Activity of Peptide Hydrolases in Epithelial and Subepithelial Layers of Small Intestine of Rats of Different Age after Protein Deprivation

A significant decrease of protein content in epithelial, stromal, and muscular-serosal layers of jejunum and ileum, especially in aged animals, is revealed in rats of different age groups (young, mature, aged) after 10-day-long protein deprivation. The responses of peptide hydrolases (aminopeptidase M and glycylleucine dipeptidase) were different. There were, as a rule, no changes of these enzyme activities in small intestine of young rats, except for decreased activity of aminopeptidase M in stromal layer of jejunum and increased activity of both peptide hydrolases in epithelial layer of ileum. In mature animals, increased activities of these enzymes also was observed in the epithelial layer of jejunum and ileum and in the stromal layer of ileum in comparison with the rats receiving a full-value nutrition. In aged rats, a much more pronounced rise of these enzyme activities in the layers of small intestine was revealed after protein starvation in comparison with young and mature rats. Probably, such increase of the peptide hydrolase activities in the layers of small intestine after protein deprivation can be considered as an adaptive-protective reaction of the organism in response to formation of significant amounts of low-molecular peptides as a result of protein catabolism     

Effects of epinephrine, clonidine, L-phenylephrine, and morphine on intestinal secretion mediated by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin in pig jejunum

Perfusion of pig jejunum with Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (strain 1261) reversed net absorption of water and electrolytes to net secretion. Addition of the alpha-adrenergic agonists clonidine (5 X 10(-7) M) or L-phenylephrine (5 X 10(-6) M), or the opiate agonist morphine (3.6 X 10(-6) M) to the perfusate reduced the secretory response to enterotoxin and stimulated absorption in normal jejunum. Epinephrine (5 X 10(-5) M) did not stimulate absorption in controls but reduced chloride loss in the presence of enterotoxin. Mucosal sodium--potassium adenosine triphosphatase was unchanged but disaccharidase activity was decreased in the presence of enterotoxin. The results suggest that alpha-adrenergic agonists and opiate agonists may exert an antidiarrheal action by increasing net transport across intestinal epithelium.     

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the developing small intestine.

1. Phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the foetal, newborn and adult small intestine of rats was studied by determination of cytidine diphosphocholine-1,2-diacylglycerocholine phosphotransferase (cholinephosphotransferase) and acyl-CoA-1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine acyltransferase (lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase) activities and the incorporation of [1-14C]oleic acid into phosphatidylcholine. 2. Cholinephosphotransferase activity was low in foetal jejunum and ileum, increased 3-4 fold in the ileum by 6 days of age and by 12 days in the jejunum. Jejunal activity remained constant throughout weaning; ileal activity gradually decreased to values 25% of that of the jejunum. 3. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activity was high in foetal jejunum and ileum, decreased 70% immediately after birth in the jejunum and increased to adult values by 12 days of age. Ileal activity decreased by 20% after birth, but decreased more rapidly at weaning to 30% of the activity in jejunum. 4. Initial rates and steady-state incorporation of [1-14C]oleic acid into phosphatidylcholine by jejunal rings of 10 day-old rats exceeded that observed in jejunal rings from adult rats by 2-4-fold. 5. In the postnatal jejunum, neither cholinephosphotransferase and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activities nor oleic acid incorporation were stimulated by cortisone administration in vivo.     

Circadian rhythm of ornithine decarboxylase activity in small intestine of fasted rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the circadian changes in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of different segments of the small intestine were governed by factors other than food intake. First, the effects of fasting on mucosal ODC activity were examined. The results indicate that mucosal ODC activity in 24 hr and 48 hr fasted rats decreased significantly compared with ad libitum-fed rats. Second, the circadian rhythm of mucosal ODC activity was characterized by measuring mucosal ODC activity in fasted rats at four time points (09:00, 15:00, 21:00, and 03:00 hr; light period: 06:00-18:00 hr). The results from this study indicate that there is a detectable baseline ODC activity in different segments of fasting intestine. In duodenum, mucosal ODC activity was highest at 15:00 hr (light period), a time at which the rat was normally not eating. In jejunum and ileum, mucosal ODC activity increased between 21:00 and 03:00 hr (dark period). The observation that small intestine exhibits a distinct circadian rhythm of ODC activity in fasted rats suggests that not only food but also intrinsic factors can modulate physiologic oscillations in mucosal ODC activity.