The effect of nitrogen mustard intoxication on glucose absorption from the small intestine of the rat.

Methyl bis (beta-chlorethyl) amine (HN(2)) was administered as a single intraperitoneal dose to male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were given either a median lethal dose and perfused one day after treatment or were given a larger dose and perfused two days after treatment. Intestinal segments were perfused in vivo and samples of effluent were collected and measured for glucose using the glucose oxidase method. Animals treated with the larger dose of HN(2) displayed significant reduction in intestinal dry weight. The average water content of intestinal segments derived from treated animals did not differ significantly from that in controls.Steady-state glucose absorption, obtained from data collected during the last 40 minutes of the perfusion period, was found to be significantly reduced in animals treated with drugs when intestinal absorption for control and treated animals was adjusted for water movement but not for dry intestinal weight and length. However, when glucose absorption was adjusted for dry tissue mass and length as well as for water movement, no significant differences in intestinal glucose absorption between control and treated rats were observed. Alterations can therefore be attributed to loss of intestinal tissue rather than to loss in the ability of the intestinal mass to absorb glucose.