Effect of cyclodextrins on small intestinal mucosa and glucose absorption in the rat

Cyclodextrin (CD) is the cyclic oligomer of glucose and can uptake hydrophobic molecules in its structure. In the present study, the influences of three kinds of CD on rat intestinal mucosa and absorptional function of glucose were studied. This investigation was done by perfusing the solutions into rat small intestine. ß-CD and γ-CD, not a-CD, extracted cholesterol from small intestinal mucosa. Three CDs did not extract phospholipids and protein, the other components of cell membrane, from small intestinal mucosa. These results suggested that decrease of glucose absorption via active transport system by ß-CD is due to the interaction between the membrane components and ß-CD. This interaction would induce changes of membrane structure, resulting in inhibition of the route of glucose absorption via Na⁺-glucose co-transporter.