INTESTINAL-ABSORPTION OF LITHOCHOLATE AND ITS SULFATE AND GLUCURONIDEIN RATS

The absorption of lithocholate and its sulfate and glucuronide in rat jejunum and terminal ileum was studied. Tracer amounts of radiolabelle d bile acids were administered to the ligated intestinal segments, and their absorption was monitored by biliary excretion through a bile du ct catheter. Absorption of lithocholate was faster in the terminal ile um than in the jejunum. Although the sulfation reduced lithocholate ab sorption in the jejunum, it did not affect lithocholate absorption in the terminal ileum. This was due to the Na+-dependency of ileal absorp tion of lithocholate-sulfate assessed by perfusion studies. In contras t, the glucuronidation markedly reduced lithocholate absorption both i n the jejunum and the terminal ileum. These findings indicate that the glucuronidation is more effective than sulfation in detoxifying litho cholate as far as the prevention of its intestinal absorption is conce rned.