Effects of diabetes on cecal and colonic calcium transport in the rat
Petith, M.M.; Schedl, H.P.
American Journal of Physiology 235(6): E699-E702
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 736129 Document Number: 136743
Young male Charles River rats were made diabetic by an injection of streptozotocin. Some were treated with insulin. Controls were pair-fed with the diabetic rats. After 11 to 14 days the caecum and colon were perfused with a solution containing 45CaCl2 and calcium 1.2 mmol/litre. In the caecum of untreated diabetic rats, specific net absorption of Ca was decreased as a result of decreased lumen to plasma flux; in rats given insulin, absorption tended to increase. The colon of controls showed negligible specific net Ca movements and that of diabetics showed net secretion which was decreased by insulin but not to control values. Total Ca transport showed the same relation between groups as specific transport, but differences between untreated diabetics and the other 2 groups were increased by decreased growth of caecum and colon in diabetes and some restoration of growth by insulin treatment. The results suggest that changes in Ca transport in the large intestine contribute to the negative Ca balance in experimental diabetes and are compatible with decreased vitamin D action.