EFFECTS OF METABOLIC INHIBITORS ON POTASSIUM-STIMULATED GLUCOSE ABSORPTION BY ISOLATED SURVIVING GUINEA PIG INTESTINE

Abstract

2,4-Dinitrophenol, at low concentrations, inhibits potassium-stimulated active transport of glucose by the isolated surviving guinea pig intestine to a greater extent than the unstimulated glucose transport. The potassium stimulation is abolished in the presence of 0.04 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol. Potassium stimulation of the active transport of glucose and galactose in the isolated guinea pig intestine is inhibited by phlorizin at low concentrations (0.01 mM) which have little or no effect on the unstimulated sugar transport. The presence of phlorizin has little or no effect on active fructose absorption, as shown by the combined transport of fructose and glucose derived from the fructose. In the presence of 15.6 meq./liter K+phlorizin exerts a small depression of the active transport of fructose. Potassium stimulation of the active transport of glucose in the isolated guinea pig intestine is inhibited by the narcotic luminal at low concentrations (2 mM). Luminal (10 mM) abolishes the potassium stimulation. Sodium malonate, at the concentration 2 mM, which exerts no inhibition of active glucose transport in isolated surviving guinea pig intestine, brings about over 40% inhibition of glucose transport when this is stimulated by potassium ions. Choline, at 0.5 mM, suppresses potassium stimulation of the active glucose transport in the isolated surviving guinea pig intestine. It is suggested that an enzymatic mechanism exists, associated with intestinal membranes, that controls sugar transport and that phosphorylations, either directly or indirectly, are connected with it.