Enterocyte turnover and content in fat-fed hamsters.

Cryptal lecithin-synthesizing enzyme specific activities have been previously demonstrated to be increased by feeding a fat-supplemented diet to hamsters. To determine if a physiological basis exists for such changes [3H]thymidine incorporation, cellular migration rate, and mucosal concentration of DNA, protein, and lecithin were measured. Radioautographic studies showed that the labeling index and cell migration rate throughout the intestine in the fat-fed hamsters and in the proximal three-quarters of the intestine of the control group were the same. Both parameters were reduced in the distal quarter of the control intestine. The protein/DNA ratio was significantly increased in the proximal three-quarters and modestly in the distal quarter of the intestine of the fat-fed group as compared to controls, suggesting cellular hypertrophy. The lecithin content of the proximal three-quarters of intestine was the same in both groups but reduced in the distal quarter of the gut of the fat-fed group. These studies suggest that lipid feeding in the hamster can have profound effects on intestinal cellular content and turnover.