ASSESSMENT OF ABSORPTION ENHANCERS FROM THE ACTION MECHANISM AND MEMBRANE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

The enhancing effects by sodium caprate in the colon can be elucidated by the increase in intracellular calcium level which activates contraction of perijunctional actomyosin and widens the lateral intercellular space. Also for the effects of acylcarnitines and organic acids, the paracellular effects were found and the reduction of intracellular ATP level which was induced by acidosis was presented as a new enhancing mechnism. The above effects on the membrane barrier function returned to the control values within 3 hr after removal of enhancers, but the membrane dysfunction which was obtained as reduction of short current (Isc) continued for several hours. The membrane damage was found due to the decrease in the secretion of chloride ion which might induce diarrhea. For the practical use of enhancers, their physiological or pathlogical effcects should be further examined in more detail.