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HERO ID
2760958
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Phytase activity in the human and rat small intestine
Author(s)
Iqbal, TH; Lewis, KO; Cooper, BT
Year
1994
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Gut
ISSN:
0017-5749
EISSN:
1468-3288
Volume
35
Issue
9
Page Numbers
1233-1236
Language
English
PMID
7959229
Abstract
Phytate is the major storage form of phosphorus in seeds and so is a common dietary constituent. Excessive ingestion of undegraded phytates can cause mineral deficiencies in humans. In addition, phytic acid is antineoplastic in animal models of both colon and breast carcinoma. There have been no previous studies quantifying phytase activity in the human small intestine although it is present in animals. Small intestinal phytase and alkaline phosphatase activity and distribution was measured in vitro in mucosal homogenates from two human small intestinal specimens obtained from transplant donors. Rat intestine was also studied for comparison. Phytase activity was found in human small intestine at low values (30 times less than that in rat tissue and 1000-fold lower than alkaline phosphatase in the same tissue). The activity was greatest in the duodenum and lowest in the ileum. In conclusion, the normal human small intestine has very limited ability to digest undegraded phytates. Although this may have adverse nutritional consequences with respect to metabolic cation imbalances, the presence of undigested phytate in the colon may protect against the development of colonic carcinoma.
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