Active transport of glucose and the role of phlorhizin, phlorhetin, phlorhetin acid, phlorglucinol and phlorhin on the same

Abstract

The object of study, using the Sols and Ponz technique of successive absorptions, is the action of the Products derived from the acid. or alkaline hydrolysis of phlorizin — phloretin, phloretic acid, phloroglucinol and phlorin — together with phloretin phosphate, on the absorption of glucose (5.4 %) by the intestine of the rat.

Only a slight inhibition (10 %) is found of the intestinal absorption of glucose by phloretin (saturated solution), while with phloretin phosphate (0.001 M) the inhibition is more intense (38 %). Finally, phloroglucinol at an equal concentration produces an inhibition of only 13 %.

Inhibition of the intestinal absorption of glucose has not been found with phloretic acid or phlorin.

The action of the phloretin phosphate is analogous to that of phlorizin with respect to the reversibility of its effects (third absorptions). On the other hand, it is of lesser intensity since. while with phlorizin 0.001 M the inhibition reaches 65 %. phloretin phosphate in the same concentration produces an inhibition of only 37 %.

The possible mode of action of phlorizin and its derivatives on the glucose transport by the intestine is questionable.