Absorption of D-Glucose and L-Leucine by Isolated Bowel Segments in Rats

Abstract

For clinical application of the technique for creation of an isolated bowel segment(IBS) for lengthening the intestine, the absorptive function of the IBS was measured in rats. An IBS is a segment of the intestine which is devoid of its mesentery and nourished solely by the collaterals from the abdominal wall. The technique for creation of the IBS has been established, but its absorptive function has yet to be explored. Absorptive clearance of D-glucose and L-leucine was compared between the control loop and the IBS. Water flux, capacity and the intraluminal pressure of the bowel segment were also measured, using the single-perfusion technique. This study revealed that the IBS maintained substantial absorptive function and that the loss of external innervation might have influenced water flux in the IBS.