A rabbit jejunal isolated enterocyte preparation suitable for transport studies.

A method is described for isolating viable enterocytes from rabbit jejunum. Estimates of sucrase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities in cells isolated by this method suggest that they originate from the upper villus only. Isolated cells accumulate both alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and alanine, maintaining high intracellular concentrations for at least 60 and 40 min respectively. Accumulation of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside is inhibited by the presence of phloridzin. The cells accumulate 42K and 86Rb in an identical manner. This uptake, which is maintained for at least 60 min, is inhibited in the presence of ouabain. Passive efflux of 42K and 86Rb occurs with rate constants which are virtually identical. The efflux follows a single exponential suggesting that it originates from only one intracellular compartment. It is suggested that the preparation can be used to study the effect of sugars and amino acids on K efflux. The advantages of using such a preparation are discussed.