Activity of brush border membrane enzymes in proximal jejunum of portal hypertensive rats

Malabsorption accompanies portal hypertension, especially when associated with chronic liver disease. The development of portal hypertension is accompanied by significant alterations in the splanchnic microcirculation. In this study, the effect of extrahepatic and intrahepatic portal hypertension on brush border membrane enzymes was estimated. Methods. Portal hypertension was induced in rats by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) (n = 6) and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) (n = 6), and the activity of sucrase, lactase, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in the intestinal homogenate was measured. Results. Intrasplenic pulp pressure (ISPP) (in cm of saline) was found to be elevated in PPVL (21.3 ± 1.47) and CBDL animals (21.5 ± 1.79) as compared with findings in their respective sham-operated controls (12.74 ± 0.86, 11.83 ± 1.04). Only sucrase and LAP activity was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in the PPVL group. No changes were observed in the CBDL group. Conclusion. Only sucrase and LAP activities were increased in PPVL rats.