EFFECTS OF ETHANOL DURING GIARDIASIS IN SHEEP INTESTINE

Abstract

Infections with Giardia lamblia are one of the most common intestinal maladies in the world. These infections can lead to acute diarrhea, cramps, and nausea, although asymptomatic infections are the most common. Although most infections are controlled by an effective immune response, some individuals develop chronic disease. The effects of Giardia lamblia infection on D-glucose uptake and brush border enzymes was studied in ethanol fed sheep. Giardia lamblia trophozoite counts were significantly lower in the intestine of ethanol fed sheep than in the controls. Also sodium dependant uptake of D-glucose and brush border enzymes was significantly reduced in the Giardia lamblia infected sheep intestine. There was no change in sodium dependent D-glucose transporter (SGLT-1) and brush border lactase was reduced in Giardia lamblia infected sheep compared with those of controls. However, the mRNA levels encoding these proteins in ethanol fed animals and control animals were in the sheep intestine. The D-glucose malabsorption was observed and probably it causes a significant decrease in activity of disaccharidases in Giardia lamblia infection.