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Intestinal mucosal morphology during water and electrolyte absorption

A light and electron microscopic study

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The American Journal of Digestive Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to study morphologic events taking place during intestinal absorption of water and electrolytes, light and electron microscopic studies were performed in an in vivo preparation of rat ileum fixed during well-defined conditions of solute absorption. Water absorption was significantly greater (0.19±0.012 ml/cm/hr) in animals perfused intraluminally with isotonic saline than in mannitolperfused ones (0.04±0.015 ml/cm/hr). Structural alterations during water absorption consisted of dilatation of epithelial cell intercellular spaces, lymphatics, and capillaries. The changes were quantitated and shown to be significantly different when saline perfused animals were compared to the mannitol-perfused group. These morphologic observations and the histochemical localization of ATPase to the apical and lateral cell membranes satisfies some of the postulates of a serial membrane theory. The intercellular spaces appear to represent the second compartment, and the capillaries and lymphatics appear to represent the third compartment of the model. The exact role of the intestinal epithelial cell in fluid absorption and the site of Membrane A has not been determined.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Gastrointestinal Research Laboratory, Veterans Administration Hospital, USA

    Juan T. Tomasini MD &  William O. Dobbins III MD

  2. the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

    Juan T. Tomasini MD &  William O. Dobbins III MD

Authors
  1. Juan T. Tomasini MD
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  2. William O. Dobbins III MD
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Additional information

Supported by Grant AM 12107 and AM 13725 from NIAMD, USPHS. The work of Doctor Tomasini was supported by NIH Training Grant TI-AM-5093-12 from NIAMD, USPHS.

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Tomasini, J.T., Dobbins, W.O. Intestinal mucosal morphology during water and electrolyte absorption. Digest Dis Sci 15, 226–238 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233453

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