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Experimental Protein Malnutrition Decreases Calcium-Binding Protein in Rat Intestinal Mucosa

Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Departments of Pediatrics and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284

Calcium-binding activity was measured in duodenal mucosal homogenates of rats 50 days after weaning onto a protein-deficient diet providing 3–4 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day compared to control animals, who were fed an isocaloric diet providing 9–12 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Calcium-binding activity was decreased (44% of control) further than can be explained by the decrease in intestinal mucosal weight (70% of control) or supernatant protein content (80% of control). The results suggest that the decrease in calcium-binding activity reflects decreased synthesis of the vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (CaBP) as an adaptive response to the stunted growth associated with protein malnutrition.

KEY WORDS: • intestinal calcium-binding protein • calcium absorption • growth • protein malnutrition

Manuscript received 1 March 1982.