Acarbose Inhibits Lipid Absorption By Affecting The Structure Of Small Intestinal Villi In Mice

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate inhibiting lipid absorption by acarbose(ACA)by affecting the structure of small intestinal villi in sucrose(SUC)-fed mice.METHODS: Fifteen C57 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: control group(CON),sucrose group(SUC),and acarbose group(ACA).The CON group was fed with standard chow,the SUC group with high-sugar food,and the ACA group with a mixture of high-sugar chow + acarbose.All groups were provided with water ad libitum,and the experiment lasted 2 weeks.During the investigation,the general conditions,such as each group’s feces and mental status,were observed daily.The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured before and at 2weeks of the experiment.Blood was collected before and 1 hour,2 hours,and 4 hours after the gavage of fatty milk and triglycerides were measured,after which small intestinal tissues were collected.The morphological structure of the small intestine was observed and analyzed by HE staining.RESULTS: 1.General condition: The mice in each group were in a good mental state and active.2.Body weight changes: There was no significant change in body weight changes in the three groups compared with the previous ones.3.Blood glucose changes: At 2 weeks of the experiment,compared with the fasting blood glucose in the CON group,it was significantly higher in the SUC group(P < 0.05),and there was no significant difference in the ACA group(P > 0.05);compared with the fasting blood glucose in the SUC group,the CON and ACA groups were significantly lower(P < 0.05).At 2 weeks,compared with each group’s initial fasting blood glucose,there was no significant change in the CON and ACA groups(P>0.05).There was a significant increase in the SUC group(P<0.05).4.Changes in fat milk absorption in each group:triglycerides were measured before fat milk gavage and were significantly higher in the SUC group compared with the CON group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the ACA group(P>0.05);compared with the SUC group,there was a trend of lower triglycerides in the ACA group,but there was no significant difference(P>0.05).Triglycerides were measured at 1 hour,2 hours,and 4 hours after fat milk gavage and were significantly higher in the SUC and ACA groups compared with the CON group at all times(P<0.05);and were significantly lower in the ACA group compared with the SUC group(P<0.05).The triglyceride growth rate from before to 1 and 2 hours after fat milk gavage was significantly higher in the SUC and ACA groups compared with the CON group(P<0.05),and significantly lower in the ACA group compared with the SUC group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in triglyceride growth rate between 1 and 2 hours after fat milk gavage in the three groups(P>0.05).5.Small intestinal villi of mice in each group Compared with the CON group,the depth of small intestinal villi crypt was significantly more profound in the SUC group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the depth of small intestinal villi crypt in the ACA group(P>0.05),while the height of small intestinal villi was significantly higher in the SUC and ACA groups(P<0.05),the diameter of the middle section of small intestinal villi was not significantly different(P>0.05),the surface area of small intestinal villi was significantly larger(P<0.05),and the ratio of small intestinal villus height to crypt depth was significantly greater(P<0.05);compared with the SUC group,mice in the ACA group had significantly lower small intestinal villus height(P<0.05),no significant difference in small intestinal villus mid-section diameter(P>0.05),significantly smaller small intestinal villus surface area(P<0.05),and a trend toward shallower small intestinal villus crypt depth,but no statistical difference(P>0.05),and the ratio of small intestinal villi height to crypt depth was significantly smaller(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Acarbose can reduce lipid absorption capacity and lower blood lipids by decreasing the surface area of small intestinal villi in sucrose-fed mice.