Biomaterial Database

Vitamin B12 absorption in x-irradiated rats. 1975

D W D'Souza, and U K Vakil, and A Sreenivasan

The effect of whole-body exposure of rats to a sub-lethal dose (400 rad) of x-rays on the absorptive capacity of intestinal mucosal cells for vitamin B12 has been studied. The rate of absorption of vitamin B12 from the intestinal loops is decreased in x-irradiated rat. Inclusion of gastric juice from normal rat does not improve the rate. A severe interference in the absorption and retention of orally fed (57-Co)-B12, as evidenced by low serum levels, decreased organ uptake and increased excretion, is observed. However, when the vitamin is administered intraperitoneally, its uptake by organs is not affected in the irradiated animal. This suggests that the observed morphological degeneration of mucosal cells in x-irradiated rats is the main reason for the malabsorption of vitamin B12. Atrophy of intestinal cells in the protein-fasted rat accentuates the adverse effects of radiation. A sharp drop in viable intestinal flora is observed within 24 h post-irradiation, but there is an increase after 3 days.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007082	Ileum	The distal and narrowest portion of the SMALL INTESTINE, between the JEJUNUM and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE.
D007408	Intestinal Absorption	Uptake of substances through the lining of the INTESTINES.	Absorption, Intestinal
D007413	Intestinal Mucosa	Lining of the INTESTINES, consisting of an inner EPITHELIUM, a middle LAMINA PROPRIA, and an outer MUSCULARIS MUCOSAE. In the SMALL INTESTINE, the mucosa is characterized by a series of folds and abundance of absorptive cells (ENTEROCYTES) with MICROVILLI.	Intestinal Epithelium,Intestinal Glands,Epithelium, Intestinal,Gland, Intestinal,Glands, Intestinal,Intestinal Gland,Mucosa, Intestinal
D008297	Male		Males
D011830	Radiation Effects	The effects of ionizing and nonionizing radiation upon living organisms, organs and tissues, and their constituents, and upon physiologic processes. It includes the effect of irradiation on food, drugs, and chemicals.	Effects, Radiation,Effect, Radiation,Radiation Effect
D003037	Cobalt Radioisotopes	Unstable isotopes of cobalt that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. Co atoms with atomic weights of 54-64, except 59, are radioactive cobalt isotopes.	Radioisotopes, Cobalt
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013293	Enterococcus faecalis	A species of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens and the human intestinal tract. Most strains are nonhemolytic.	Streptococcus Group D,Streptococcus faecalis
D014805	Vitamin B 12	A cobalt-containing coordination compound produced by intestinal micro-organisms and found also in soil and water. Higher plants do not concentrate vitamin B 12 from the soil and so are a poor source of the substance as compared with animal tissues. INTRINSIC FACTOR is important for the assimilation of vitamin B 12.	Cobalamin,Cyanocobalamin,Cobalamins,Eritron,Vitamin B12,B 12, Vitamin,B12, Vitamin