Human intestinal disaccharidase activity. II. Diseases of the small intestine and deficiency states

Abstract

Disaccharide tolerance tests and assays of the intestinal disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase activity have been performed in 20 patients with various gastrointestinal diseases. Detailed discussion for each patient is presented. There is much to be learned about normal and abnormal disaccharide metabolism. Studies concerning the incidence of these conditions should not be based on tolerance tests alone, since variations in the results of carbohydrate tests when they are repeated have been well documented. The patient''s history, blood-sugar response, and symptoms have to be correlated with the assays of the mucosal enzymes. In some cases, a single biopsy may be misleading and multiple biopsies are required to clarify the diagnosis. If possible, the biopsy site should be ascertained by fluoroscopy, since considerations of spatial differences are essential in any study of enzyme alterations following treatment.