The effect of auxiliary conditions on intestinal unstirred layer diffusion modelled by numerical simulation

Estimation of intestinal unstirred layer thickness usually involves inducing transmural potential difference changes by altering the content of the solution used to perfuse the small intestine. Osmotically active solutes, such as mannitol, when added to the luminal solution diffuse across the unstirred water layer (UWL) and induce osmotically dependent changes in potential difference. As an alternative procedure, the sodium ion in the luminal fluid can be replaced by another ion. As the sodium ion diffuses out of the UWL, the change in concentration next to the intestinal membrane alters the transmural potential difference. In both cases, UWL thickness is calculated from the time course of the potential difference changes, using a solution to the diffusion equation. The diffusion equation solution which allows the calculation of intestinal unstirred layer thickness was examined by simulation, using the method of numerical solutions. This process readily allows examination of the time course of diffusion under various imposed circumstances. The existing model for diffusion across the unstirred layer is based on auxiliary conditions which are unlikely to be fulfilled in the same intestine. The present simulation additionally incorporated the effects of membrane permeability, fluid absorption and less than instantaneous bulk phase concentration change. Simulation indicated that changes within the physiologically relevant range in the chosen auxiliary conditions (with the real unstirred layer length kept constant) can alter estimates of the apparent half-time. Consequently, changes in parameters unassociated with the unstirred layer would be misconstrued as alterations in unstirred layer thickness.