MEASUREMENT OF GLUCOSE AND WATER TRANSPORT IN THE HUMAN DUODENUM IN-VIVO USING A DIALYSIS BAG

Background/Aims: Only a few studies have evaluated duodenal absorptive or secretory function in. humans. In the present study we determined duodenal glucose and water transport in humans in. vivo. Material and Methods: Duodenal glucose and water transport were studied in 27 healt hy volunteers using a modification, of the dialysis bag technique for measuring rectal water and sodium transport. Results: Net glucose abso rption increased progressively over the range of glucose concentration s studied (10 mM to 100 mM) from 0.21 +/- 0.19 to 1.76 +/- 0.15 mM/cm( 2)/90 min. Maximum water absorption, occurred from the 10 mM glucose s olution (35.87 +/- 7.5 mu l/cm(2)/90 min) and at a significantly great er rate than from the 80 mM glucose (11.60 +/- 4.0 mu l/cm(2)/90 min) and the 100 mM glucose (14.90 +/- 1.7 mu l/cm(2)/90 min solution. Conc lusion: This study demonstrates that glucose and water are absorbed by the human duodenum in vivo and that the dialysis bag technique can be adapted to measure transport processes in areas of the intestine othe r than the rectum.