Review: A species comparison of the kinetic homogeneous and heterogeneous organization of sodium-dependent glucose transport systems along the intestine

The targeted use of carbohydrates by feed and food industries to create balanced and cost-effective diets has generated a tremendous amount of research in carbohydrate digestion and absorption in different species. Specifically, this research has led us to a larger observation that identified different organizations of intestinal sodium-dependent glucose absorption across species, which has not been previously collated and reviewed. Thus, this review will compare the kinetic segregation of sodium-dependent glucose transport across the intestine of different species, which we have termed either homogeneous or heterogeneous systems. For instance, the pig follows a heterogeneous system of sodium-dependent glucose transport with a high-affinity, super-low-capacity (Ha/sLc) in the jejunum, and a high-affinity, super-high-capacity (Ha/sHc) in the ileum. This is achieved by multiple sodium-dependent glucose transporters contributing to each segment. In contrast, tilapia have a homogenous system characterized by high-affinity, high-capacity (Ha/Hc) throughout the intestine. Additionally, we are the first to report glucose transporter patterns across species presented from vertebrates to invertebrates. Finally, other kinetic transport systems are briefly covered to illustrate possible contributions/modulations to sodium-dependent glucose transporter organization. Overall, we present a new perspective on the organization of glucose absorption along the intestinal tract.