The components of taurine transport across the rat small intestine A kinetic study.

The transport of taurine across adult Sprague-Dawley rat small intestine was studied in vitro using small intestinal strips. The kinetics of the transport mechanism were investigated under both steady-state and influx conditions. Our findings were compatible with the presence of two distinct transport mechanisms; a linear non-carrier mediated component and a saturable carrier mediated component, with almost equal contribution from each. The mediated component was found to be largely Na(+)-dependent and exhibited marked inhibition by B-alanine and structurally related sulfur amino acids.