Systemic effect of peanut agglutinin following intravenous infusion into rats

Background: Ingested peanut agglutinin stimulates colonic proliferation in humans. In rats, ingested peanut agglutinin stimulates hormone release and proliferation in the small and large intestines. Peanut agglutinin is absorbed into the circulation but little is known about the systemic effect of this lectin. Therefore, we studied the effect of intravenous peanut agglutinin on hormone release and intestinal growth. Method: Six rats per group received peanut agglutinin infusion at 0, 2, 20 or 200 μg/rat/day for 6 days via the right jugular vein. Organ weights were measured, pancreatic enzymes, DNA, RNA and protein levels were analysed. Plasma hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay. All tissues were examined histologically. Small intestinal and colonic proliferation rates were estimated by metaphase arrest. Results: High‐dose peanut agglutinin significantly reduced the wet weight of the stomach by 7% (P