Differential permeability of the proximal and distal rabbit small bowel.

The permeability of the proximal and distal rabbit intestine for two to six carbon polyhydric alcohols was compared. Intestinal segments were mounted in chambers that permitted the measurement of the unidirectional flux across the brush border membrane. For both proximal and distal intestine, the permeability for a series of polyhydric alcohols decreased with increasing size. The proximal intestine was more permeable for four, five, and six carbon polyhydric alcohols than distal intestine. This regional permeability difference can be attributed to variations in the permeability characteristics of the brush border specifically. The uptake of alcohols was nonsaturable and was not inhibited by phlorizine or n-ethylmaleimide. The results are compatible with the concept that the brush border membrane has properties similar to artificial porous membranes and that the equivalent radius of the pores of the proximal intestine exceeds that of the distal gut.