Vitamin absorption in thein vivointestine of normal and infected (Hymenolepis diminuta: Cestoda) rats

Abstract

ABSTRACTUptake and serosal transfer of the vitamins thiamine, riboflavin and folic acid have been studiedin vivoin normal and parasitized rats infected withHymenolepis diminuta(Cestoda).Regional differences in intestinal uptake of all three vitamins in both uninfected and parasitized animals were not statistically significant.In the parasitized intestine mucosal uptake and serosal transfer of thiamine were significantly inhibited, with increased mucosal accumulation of the vitamin as luminal thiamine concentration increased.Apparent increased riboflavin mucosal uptake in parasitized animals, was not matched by the reduced serosal transfer, suggesting adsorption of the vitamin in the unstirred aqueous layers.Mucosal uptake of folic acid increased in the parasitized gut; serosal transfer and mucosal accumulation were not affected.These results, indicating vitamin malabsorption associated with infection byH. diminuta, are consistent with the parasite inhibiting mucosal passive transport mechanisms. This conclusion is supported by the changes in net water fluxes associated with vitamin uptake in the parasitized intestine.