Action of actinomycin D on glycosidase levels in the small intestine of hamsters.

Actinomycin D affects a number of functions of the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Maltase, saccharase and lactase levels in the small intestine of hamsters treated with various dosages of actinomycin D over various periods of time, differed from those observed in control animals: administration of 0.25 micrograms/g body weight, gave rise to a statistically significant increase in the maltase and saccharase levels measured after 4 h and a statistically significant reduction in the lactase levels measured after 8 h; administration of 1.5 micrograms/g body weight reduced the activity of all three enzymes at all times post-administration, the decrease being statistically significant for maltase after 2 and 8 h.