Effect of Analogues on the Uptake of Vitamin B₁₂ by the Intact Rat

Abstract

THE normal mechanism of absorption of vitamin B₁₂ from the small intestine is a specialized one. In order to determine the part played by molecular configuration we have administered vitamin B₁₂ analogues and studied their effect upon the absorption of the vitamin by the intact rat. Under these conditions, inhibition is probably due to competition for absorption or possibly to blockage of some part of the absorption mechanism. If no inhibition occurs then we can deduce that the difference in molecular structure has rendered the substance incapable of participation in the absorption system.