A Modified Method for Study of Intestinal Absorption in Vitro

¹ From the Department of Biochemistry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D. C.

A method for the study of intestinal absorption in vitro has been described. Oxygenated bicarbonate-saline was circulated separately on the two sides of segments of everted small intestine of the golden hamster. Such tissue incubated at 37°C transported the test substances, glucose and methionine, across the wall against considerable concentration gradients. The special feature of the preparation, the eversion of the intestine, makes possible the study of fluid movement from mucosal to serosal sides against measured hydrostatic pressures. Inhibition of both fluid movement and glucose transport occurred with pressures of 4 cm or more of water against the serosal surface.