Age dependent activity of brush-border enzymes in BALB/c mice

Intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase, sucrase-isomaltase and maltase-glucoamylase are brush-border hydrolases important for the digestion of carbohydrates. Alkaline phosphatase is generally used as a marker of epithelial cell maturation. Expression of these enzymes during postnatal development has been characterized, but the effect of ageing on disaccharidase activity is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ageing on disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Age related changes in 3-, 6- and 12-month-old BALB/c mice were studied. The results of this study showed a statistically significant decrease in all studied enzyme activities, proportional to ageing (P < 0.05). Horizontal patterns of disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not affected by age. The age related decline in studied enzymes in BALB/c mice could be associated with reduced nutrient absorption and increased incidence of malnutrition in elderly mice. Hence, dietary regulation may be useful for appropriate intestinal absorption with ageing.