Abstract

Active transport of conjugated bile salts, Na-tauro- and Na-glycocholate and D-galactose, was examined in the small intestine of streptozotocin-diabetic rats by an in-vitro technique.

Tissue uptake and mucosal to serosal transport of conjugated bile salts and D-galactose was enhanced in diabetic rat ileum. The minimal transport capacity for conjugated bile salts in the jejunum did not differ between diabetic and control intestine. D-galactose transport and transport of 3-0-methyl-glucose were, however, enhanced in diabetic jejunum as well. Kinetic analysis of the initial uptake rates for conjugated bile salts revealed that the maximal transport capacity (Vmax) was enhanced in diabetic ileum.

In accordance with earlier results on the effect of experimental diabetes mellitus on digestive-absorptive functions it is suggested that experimental diabetes mellitus increases the transport capacity of active, Na⁺-dependent intestinal transport processes in general.