The Jejunal Absorption of Glucose Oligomers in the Absence of Pancreatic Enzymes

Summary: We compared the absorption of carbohydrate from solutions of glucose oligomers and glucose in jejunal Thiry-Vella fistulae, a preparation deprived of pancreatic secretions. The

studies were performed with two concentrations (90 and 360 mg/dl) of both glucose and the glucose oligomers. Carbohydrate absorption from glucose solutions (33.1 × 2.8, 115.9 × 8.9

μg/cm/min) was significantly greater (P 0.20). Water absorption was enhanced by both carbohydrates, but there was no demonstrable difference between solutions of glucose and glucose

oligomers. The osmolality of the solutions clearly influenced water absorption (P < 0.025) but failed to effect the absorption of carbohydrates.

Speculation: In patients with pancreatic insufficiency, solutions of glucose oligomers with low osmolality may provide an adequate source of calories. Although glucose is better absorbed

than glucose oligomers from a short segment of jejunum, the length of the small intestine should be adequate to compensate for this difference.~h~ absorption of the glucose oligomers may be

a function of polymer length and therefore studies with subfractions separated according to chain length will demonstrate which oligomers are most efficiently absorbed. such information may

provide the theoretical hasis for the construction of an ideal carbohydrate supplement for patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: