Impaired intestinal absorption of riboflavin in experimental uremia

Increased plasma and red blood cell concentrations of riboflavin have been reported in uremia. The possible role of altered intestinal absorption of riboflavin in the genesis of this abnormality is not known. For this reason we examined the intestinal absorption of riboflavin in rats made uremic by subtotal nephrectomy and sham-operated (control) rats in vivo using the recycling perfusion technique and in vitro using the everted-sac technique. Paradoxically, the results showed a significant impairment of intestinal absorption of riboflavin in vivo in uremic rats compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was observed in riboflavin transport in vitro. We conclude that the intestinal absorption of riboflavin is decreased in experimental uremia and cannot account for the reported increase in its plasma and red blood cell concentrations.