[Increase of bile acid reabsorption following total small intestine resection in the rat].

Bile salts undergo an enterohepatic circulation. The relative distribution of labelled cholic acid in portal blood, enterocytes, intestinal contents and feces, following intravenous injection of (carboxylic-14C) cholic acid, can be considered as an indication of the absorptive capacity of the epithelium cells. Seven days after a massive small intestinal resection (60-80 cm), the animal weight and the bile salt absorption were significantly decreased. Nevertheless, thirty days after the operation, weight and radioactivities reached the values found in the controls: in portal and cava blood, liver, intestinal contents and feces. An increase of the absorptive capacity of the intestinal epithelial cells was also observed.