Effects of diabetes of calcium-binding protein in the cecum and colon of the rat.

Calcium-binding protein (CaBP) was measured in the mucosa of cecum and colon of pair-fed control and diabetic rats. After extraction from mucosa, CaBP was purified by Bio-gel P-100 chromatography, and eluted fractions were analyzed by Chelex assay to define the peak of CaBP. Total CaBP content of mucosa in cecum was slightly depressed in diabetics compared to controls, but was decreased to one-third the control value in colon. Specific activity (CaBP per g mucosa and per mg protein) of diabetics was reduced to two-thirds the control value in both segments. Thus, in diabetes, the response of large intestinal CaBP is similar, but of lower magnitude than that of duodenum.