Effects of DDT and dieldrin on intestinal glucose transport and brush border hydrolases. A comparison with phenobarbital and methylcholanthrene.

The enhancement of in vitro small intestinal transcellular glucose transport in NMRI mice after oral administration of the organic pesticides 2,4-DDT and dieldrin can be shown to be due to an increased active transport at the site of the brush border membrane. Intestinal disaccharidase activities were concomitantly elevated in the dieldrin group, while DDT produced no effects with intestinal hydrolases. The classic enzyme inducing agents phenobarbital and methylcholanthrene failed to stimulate intestinal glucose transport, although both increased intestinal disaccharidase activities considerably, thus questioning a close relation between these digestive and absorptive functions in the translocation of glucose. Intestinal alkaline phospatase activity was enhanced after DDT, dieldrin and methylcholanthrene treatment, but not with phenobarbital. It is suggested that DDT and dieldrin exert their stimulating effect on intestinal glucose transport by a mechanism different from general induction of metabolic pathways.