DIETARY SUCROSE AND GLUCURONIC ACID EXCRETION IN GUINEA PIGS

by Hilda N. Kigutha

Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 1982

ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: Dietary Sucrose and Glucuronic Acid Excretion in Guinea Pigs Hilda Nyakonyu Kigutha, Master of Science, 1982 Thesis directed by: Dr. Richard A. Ahrens Professor of Nutrition investigators have observed

During the last decade,

elevated blood pressures in animals and humans consuming high sucrose diets, however, the mechanism for the sucrose-induced hypertension remains unclear. In a recent study, serum and

urine of guinea pigs fed sucrose diets were found to contain higher levels of conjugated glucuronic acid than those fed invert sugar. This difference in glucuronic acid levels In the

could not be explained without fecal analysis data.

present study, twenty male guinea pigs of the Hartley strain, weighing 300-400 gms were fed commercial guinea pig chow diluted with 20% sucrose or 20% invert sugar for four weeks. Feces and urine collected on twenty-four hour basis for four days were analyzed for total and conjugated glucuronic acid. The hypothesis tested was that sucrose feeding would increase total glucuronic acid. Results from the study supported the In vitro

hypothesis since a sucrose effect was demonstrated.

studies confirmed that sucrose conjugates with glucuronic acid to form glucuronides. In the presence of high sucrose concen-

trations, 60% of added glucuronic acid was spontaneously conjugated. It was proposed that presence of sucrose in the gut

lumen would increase conjugation and excretion of glucuronides. Removal of free glucuronic acid would stimulate 8-glucuronidase enzyme in the gut to hydrolyze glucuronides coming from the bile and free the aglycons for enterohepatic circulation. This

would slow the excretion of steroid hormones and other substances, causing them to accumulate in the blood. nary analysis of steroid hormones is suggested. Fecal and uri-

TABLE OF CONTENTS
>K

r Page ACKNOWLEDGMENT
LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES

E I

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INTRODUCTION
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

1
5

A.
V I

Essential Hypertension Salt, Sucrose and Hypertension Sucrose and Lipid Metabolism Sucrose and Heart Disease Sucrose and Glucuronic Acid
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5 7 13 25 27
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B. C. D. E.

DESIGN AND PROCEDURE

RESULTS
. DISCUSSION . .

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SUMMARY APPENDIX A. * APPENDIX B. APPENDIX C. APPENDIX D. APPENDIX E. APPENDIX F. APPENDIX G. Mean Food and Water Intakes of Guinea Pigs Fed Sucrose and Invert Sugar Weight Gain of Guinea Pigs Fed Sucrose and Invert Sugar for Five Weeks Volume of Urine Excreted by Guinea Pigs in Four Days Amount of Feces Excreted by Guinea Pigs in Four Days Amount' of Phenolphthalein Injected in Guinea Pigs Glucuronic Acid Excreted in the Urine of Guinea Pigs Fed a Sucrose Diet Glucuronic Acid Excreted in the Urine of Guinea Pigs Fed an Invert Sugar Diet . . iii

57 60 61 62 63 64 i65 66

Page APPENDIX H. APPENDIX I. Glucuronic Acid Excreted in the Feces of Guinea Pigs Fed a Sucrose Diet Glucuronic Acid Excreted in the Feces of Guinea Pigs Fed an Invert Sugar Diet . . . 67 68
69

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

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