Influence of obstructive jaundice on jejunal absorption of glucose, electrolytes, and vitamin A in rats.

Jejunal absorption of glucose, electrolytes, and vitamin A was investigated in rats. A Tyrode solution containing glucose, sodium, and potassium in concentrations two and four times higher than usual was infused through the jejunal loops of jaundiced and control rats during 40 min. The glucose values in the influx and effluent were not different during the experiment time. However, the concentrations of sodium and potassium of the effluent decreased with concentrations twice normal. The osmotic pressure of the effluent was directly related to the electrolytic concentration. When the perfusate fluid was four times higher, the differences between sham and jaundiced groups remained unchanged. The osmotic pressure means of the jaundiced group decreased during the experimental time. The absorption of vitamin A increased during the 40-min experiment time in the control rats. On the other hand, vitamin A concentration in the perfused lumen of the jaundiced group did not change over the time. These data indicate that obstructive jaundice has little influence on glucose and electrolytes absorption, while vitamin A is impaired by this condition.