Abstract | BACKGROUND: Impaired iron handling in riboflavin deficiency is thought to be partially a result of significant morphological and cytokinetic changes within the small intestine. AIMS: The aim of the study was to find out if the responses of the rat small intestine to riboflavin deficiency induced at weaning could be reversed upon repletion. SUBJECTS: 48 female weanling Wistar rats were used for the purpose of the study. METHODS: Rats were fed a riboflavin deficient diet or a complete control diet for a period of five weeks followed by a repletion period of up to three weeks. Rats were killed on day 0, 2, 7, or 21 of repletion. The duodenum was removed and fixed for subsequent analysis. RESULTS: Five weeks of riboflavin deficiency significantly changed the morphology and cytokinetics of the duodenum; the changes were not reversed within the 21 day repletion period despite biochemical evidence for a correction of the deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the small intestine cannot readily recover from a period of riboflavin deficiency induced at weaning, supporting the notion that the weaning period is a critical time for gastrointestinal development and highlighting the importance of adequate nutrition during infancy.
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Authors | E A Williams, R D Rumsey, H J Powers |
Journal | Gut
(Gut)
Vol. 39
Issue 2
Pg. 220-5
(Aug 1996)
ISSN: 0017-5749 [Print] England |
PMID | 8991860
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antimetabolites
- Glutathione Reductase
- Bromodeoxyuridine
- Riboflavin
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Topics |
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Antimetabolites
- Bromodeoxyuridine
- Cell Movement
- Glutathione Reductase
(blood)
- Intestinal Mucosa
(physiopathology)
- Intestine, Small
(drug effects)
- Male
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Riboflavin
(administration & dosage)
- Riboflavin Deficiency
(metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
- Weaning
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