Duodenal xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) and ferroxidase activities in the rat in relation to the increased iron absorption caused by peroral xylitol.

The effect of peroral administration of xylitol on the absorption of iron and the activities of xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) and ferroxidase in rat duodenal wall was studied. Adult male rats were given the basal diet containing 200 g xylitol/kg or the same diet containing no added carbohydrates for 8 weeks. Both feeding groups comprised twelve animals. Xylitol significantly increased serum and liver Fe concentrations with a concomitant, significant increase in the duodenal xanthine oxidase activities, but caused a marginal increase in the duodenal ferroxidase activities. In vitro, sugar alcohols reduced the binding rate of Fe to transferrin. The xylitol-induced increase of Fe absorption may involve the following mechanism: the high intraluminal xylitol concentration of the xylitol-fed rats keeps Fe in the form of a soluble complex for a prolonged period of time, due to the slow absorption of xylitol. The polyol-Fe complex in turn induces xanthine oxidase and ferroxidase formation.