Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D
Published on: March 16, 2017
Effects of caffeine and coffee on fluid transport in the small intestine
Abstract:
Although caffeine is known to stimulate small intestinal water secretion in man, no available studies have examined the effect of coffee on small intestinal fluid transport. We have studied the effect of both coffee and caffeine on jejunal sodium and water transport by the triple lumen intestinal perfusion technique. Both caffeine and coffee solutions had equivalent caffeine concentrations, approximating the caffeine concentration in one cup of coffee. Control and coffee perfusion resulted in net absorption of 0.9 +/- 0.2 and 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml per min per 30 cm, respectively, whereas caffeine perfusion resulted in net water secretion of 2.4 +/- 0.4 ml per min per 30 cm (P less than 0.02). Net sodium absorption was observed with control and coffee solutions with a mean absorption of 190 +/- 32 and 184 +/- 40 muEq per min per 30 cm, respectively. Net sodium secretion of 334 +/- 25 muEq er min per 30 cm was observed during caffeine perfusion (P less than 0.02). We conclude that coffee perfusion has no significant effect on sodium and water transport in the jejunum in spite of the marked secretory effects of caffeine solutions. The results of this study yield further support to the suggestion that the effects of caffeine may not be similar to the effects of caffeine-containing compounds such as coffee.
Related Concept Videos
Transcellular Transport of Solutes
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Histology of the Small Intestine
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
Carbohydrate Absorption
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Anatomical Parameters
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Disease States and Pharmacology
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...

