Mucin output in ileal digesta of pigs fed a protein-free diet

Z Ernahrungswiss. 1997 Jun;36(2):182-90. doi: 10.1007/BF01611398.

Abstract

Daily outputs of mucin in ileal digesta were estimated in three barrows fed a protein-free diet while administered either saline (SAI) or a complete amino acid mixture (AAI) intravenously. The water soluble-ethanol precipitable fraction of ileal digesta (crude mucin; CM) was used to estimate the composition of mucin in ileal digesta. This fraction exhibited a carbohydrate composition characteristic of mucin and had a high threonine, serine and proline content (40 mol/100 mol). The proportions of soluble gastric and intestinal mucins, approximately 27 and 73%, respectively, were estimated from the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)/N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) ratio in CM. The daily outputs of soluble mucin, 2.75 and 3.41 g/day from SAI and AAI pigs (p = 0.13), respectively, were determined from the GalNAc outputs in CM, assuming the above contributions of gastric and intestinal mucins. The estimated soluble mucin outputs accounted for more than 99% of the fucose, galactose, GalNAc and GlcNAc in CM. Total mucin outputs in ileal digesta, 5.32 and 5.65 g/day from SAI and AAI Pigs (p = 0.24), respectively, were determined from the total GalNAc output in digesta, assuming soluble and insoluble mucin had similar compositions. Based on these outputs, mucin represented approximately 30, 7 to 22, 15 and 11% of the endogenous threonine, proline, serine and protein, respectively, in ileal digesta. Approximately 74, 76, 100 and 53% of the fucose, galactose GalNAc and GlcNAc, respectively, in ileal digesta from pigs in this study was attributed to mucin. The results from this study demonstrate the importance of mucin as a source of some endogenous amino acids and carbohydrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylgalactosamine / analysis
  • Acetylglucosamine / analysis
  • Amino Acids / administration & dosage
  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted*
  • Fucose / analysis
  • Galactose / analysis
  • Gastrointestinal Contents / chemistry*
  • Ileum
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mucins / biosynthesis
  • Mucins / chemistry
  • Mucins / metabolism*
  • Swine

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Mucins
  • Fucose
  • Acetylgalactosamine
  • Acetylglucosamine
  • Galactose