Amino acid transport dynamics in the jejunum and ileum in rats: a regional and time-course analysis

Postprandially, amino acids and di/tripeptides are thought to be primarily absorbed in the proximal small intestine. However, there have been no in vivo demonstrations of regional differences in amino acid transport dynamics between the proximal and distal small intestines. We monitored plasma amino acid responses in the jejunal and ileal mesenteric veins of rats after oral administration of a diet or an amino acid mixture (Expt 1) and in the portal vein after direct administration of the amino acid mixture into the lumen of the jejunum or ileum (Expt 2). In Expt 1, the total and some amino acid concentrations in the jejunal mesenteric vein were slightly higher than those in the ileal mesenteric vein after oral administration of the amino acid mixture, suggesting that the ileum actively transports luminal amino acids to the basolateral side, comparable to the jejunum. In Expt 2, portal amino acid concentrations were elevated to a greater extent after direct administration of the amino acid mixture into the ileal lumen than into the jejunal lumen. These results demonstrate regional differences in amino acid transport dynamics in vivo and suggest that the ileum has a higher capacity for transporting amino acids than the jejunum. Our findings highlight the importance of the ileum in postprandial amino acid absorption and metabolism.