Protein Digestion and Absorption by the Entire Gastrointestinal Tract in Man.
Abstract
Digestion of egg albumin by the human gastrointestinal tract was studied in 15 adult Chinese males. Except for an intermission period of 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 hours, subjects drank an isotonic saline solution continuously during the study period. Fractions of the oral protein load digested were significantly greater in subjects allowed 2 hours digestion time (mean, 45%) than in those given only 1 hour for digestion (32%). Furthermore, subjects showed greater digestion of the cooked albumin than the raw protein: 91% versus 36% digestion. The fraction of test protein digested was significantly greater in younger subjects than in older ones: 47% and 32%, respectively, with 1 hour digestion time. Clinical application of the protein digestion test by the oral lavage method was first done on a patient with Kwashiorkor-like syndrome. No protein digestive capacity could be detected during his illness while protein digestive capacity resumed to about 60% that of a normal person during his convalescence, 5 weeks after removal of a blind intestinal loop.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA045403
Entities
People
- Tze-kong Young
Organizations
- University of Washington