Age differences on ileal glucose absorption in rats.

Ileal absorption of D-glucose was studied in fasted 21-day-old and 18-month-old rats for a 5-min period using a perfusion technique in vivo. D-Glucose initial concentrations were: 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mmol/l. Phloridzin (0.5 mmol/l) was used as inhibitor of the active transport mechanism, inducing a 65 and 70% inhibition in the ileum of the young and old rats, respectively, at 40 mmol/l initial sugar concentration. Saturation was at 10 mmol/l in the two groups studied. A reduction in the rate of total sugar absorption, active transport and diffusion coefficient was observed with aging.