Influence of certain fish meals on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activity in rat small intestine

Abstract

The effect of high-protein content fish meal on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activity in rat small intestine was studied.5 groups of Wistar rats, weighing between 40-060 g, were fed diets with 12% protein content of dry matter for 10 days.The protein source was casein for the control group and fish meal derived from Coryphaenoides rupestris, Chimaera monstruosa and Merluccius merluccius for the test group.The results show a decrease in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and a rise in Ca2+-ATPase activity in animals fed with fish meal protein compared to those fed on casein.No significant variations were observed between the groups fed on fish meal derived from C.rupestris and Ch.monstruosa.The calcium ion, which is abundant in fish, may be a factor responsible for these variations which produce inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and stimulation of the Ca2+-ATPase.