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Effect of corn lectins on the intestinal transport of trace elements

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Abstract

The absorption of iron, copper, zinc, and cobalt deriving from the diet and supplements varies, depending on the form of these trace elements and the presence of absorption inhibitors. The objective of this study was to examine the absorption of iron, copper, zinc, and cobalt in the presence of corn lectin as a possible inhibitor of intestinal absorption. The highest level of inhibition was shown in bull in vitro intestinal segments: incubation with corn lectins reduced the absorption of copper by 35.5%, of zinc by 28%, and of cobalt by 17.3%. It caused no observable effect on iron absorption. The addition of N-acetylgalactosamine neutralised the inhibitory effect of corn lectins and restored the absorption of the trace elements. The levels of copper and iron in the blood of rats receiving a diet supplemented with lyophilized corn lectins, decreased by 11.3% and 16.4%, respectively. Our results thus suggest that corn lectins may act as absorption inhibitors of iron, copper, zinc, and cobalt, most likely through blocking the transport of elements across the apical membrane of enterocytes. The present study suggests that individuals should consider their trace element status if their diet includes high amounts of raw corn. However, additional in vivo studies are required to confirm these results.

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Acknowledgements

The statistical analysis was carried out under the supervision of Associate Professor Leonov V.P.

Funding

This work was financed by the UO VGAVM. The funding organisation did not participate in any of the following: the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, the preparation of the article, or the decision to publish.

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  1. Siarhei A. Dabravolski

    Present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Centre of Region Hana for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Diagnostics, Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine (UO VGAVM), 7/11 Dovatora str., 210026, Vitebsk, Belarus

    Siarhei A. Dabravolski & Yury K. Kavalionak

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  1. Siarhei A. Dabravolski
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Correspondence to Yury K. Kavalionak.

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Supplementary material 1 (PDF 234 kb)

3_2019_1261_MOESM2_ESM.mp4

Representative video of the running intestinal absorption study device. Trace element concentration in the samples of working solutions, mucous and serous membranes, and intestinal walls was determined after a 30 min incubation (MP4 1765kb)

Composition of the homemade rats’ diet used in this study (DOCX 17 kb)

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Dabravolski, S.A., Kavalionak, Y.K. Effect of corn lectins on the intestinal transport of trace elements. J Consum Prot Food Saf 15, 163–170 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-019-01261-1

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