Sodium absorption with bacterial fatty acids and bile salts in the proximal and distal colon as a guide to colonic resection.

Rates of sodium absorption in the presence of bacterial fatty acids and bile salts are unknown along the length of the colon. Such information may guide resection of colon with a view to leaving colon most optimal for ion absorption. Absorption of sodium and permeability of the colonic mucosa to 51Cr EDTA was measured in the proximal (PC) and distal colon (DC) instilled with NaCl (120 mM), n-butyrate (40 mM) and chenodeoxycholic acid (1 or 2 mM) in varying combinations. Sodium absorption in the PC was 123.6 +/- 19 (nmoles/min/cm2)(n = 7) with saline alone and was doubled (P less than .001) when 40 mM n-butyrate replaced chloride anions. Sodium absorption in the DC with saline alone was 106.9 +/- 18 without significant alteration by addition of n-butyrate. CDC (1 mM) diminished sodium absorption in the PC and DC. Diminished sodium absorption induced by bile salts was significantly reversed by n-butyrate in the PC but not DC. Permeability of 51Cr EDTA was greatest with 2 mM CDC in the distal colon. Mucosal function--sodium absorption with SCFAs, permeability changes, and protection by bacterial fatty acids from sodium losses due to bile salts--was superior in the PC compared with DC. Our results suggest that it may be preferable to preserve the proximal rather than distal colon in operations of the colon to secure optimal absorption of sodium.