Transport and metabolism of glucose by rat small intestine

Glucose transport and metabolism by rat small intestine was investigated by using a preparation for the combined perfusion of the lumen and the vascular bed. 2. When 5 mM-glucose was present in the lumen, only 29% was transported unchanged to the vascular side. Lactate output into the vascular and luminal fluids accounted for a further 53% and 4% respectively of the glucose taken up from the lumen. 3. Glucose was readily taken up when added at 5 mM to the vascular compartment only. Vascular lactate output accounted for approx. 33% of the glucose uptake, and luminal lactate for 6%. 4. When 2 mM-glucose was added to the lumen with 5 mM-glucose in the vascular perfusate, there was no detectable net transport of glucose to the vascular side. However, of the glucose taken up from the lumen, 31% and 2% could be accounted for by increases in vascular and luminal lactate respectively. 5. When 10 mM-glucose was added to the lumen, with 5 mM-glucose in the vascular perfusate, 33% of the glucose disappearing from the lumen was transported to the vascular side. Extra lactate output to the vascular and lumen perfusates accounted for 50% and 9% respectively of the glucose uptake from the lumen. 6. These studies indicate that at low luminal glucose concentrations no sugar is transferred to the blood unchanged, and at sugar concentrations of 5--10 mM only 25--50% of the glucose leaving the lumen reaches the serosal side intact. Furthermore, the small intestine has a greater propensity to form lactate from luminal glucose than from vascular glucose.