The Quantitative Distribution of Certain Enzymes along the Small Intestine of the Rat and its Correlation with the Villous Area and the Paneth Cells

Abstract

The distribution of lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17], alkaline phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.1], aminopeptidase [EC 3.4.1.2], maltase [EC 3.2.1.20] and amylase [EC 3.2.1.1] was studied throughout the small intestine of the adult rat. Lysozyme activity increases along the length of the small intestine and the behavior of this enzyme slightly differs from the mucosal enzymes reported in this investigation. A positive correlation is found between the percentage of crypts with granulated Paneth cells and the lysozyme activity. This corroborates with the secretory origin of this enzyme from these intestinal cells.