Effects of highly selective vagotomy on small intestinal calcium transport in the rat.

In parathyroid-intact and parathyroidectomized rats we studied the influence of highly selective vagotomy (HSV) on net absorption and bidirectional (lumen-to-plasma, LP; plasma-to-lumen, PL) calcium (Ca) fluxes in the duodenum and ileum. In parathyroid-intact rats, Ca fluxes in the duodenum and ileum are not significantly altered by HSV. Nevertheless, net absorption is increased in the duodenum and decreased in the ileum. In parathyroidectomized rats duodenal LP flux is reduced and ileal PL flux is increased, by HSV, with the result that there is a decrease in the net absorption in both intestinal segments. It is suggested that (1) in intact rats, the influence of HSV on the net absorption of Ca is different in the duodenum and the ileum; (2) after prior parathyroidectomy, HSV is potentially harmful to the Ca balance of the body, and (3) the mineral metabolic effects of HSV have so far not been adequately studied.