Intestinal glucose and sodium transport and its relation to hypertension

Final carbohydrate digestion by brush disaccharidases is closely linked to the transport of the resulting monosaccharides. A bifunctional carrier operates within the brush-border membrane of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells translocating glucologues and sodium due to a down-hill Na+ -gradient. Inhibition of final carbohydrate digestion by an inhibitor of a-glucoside-hydrolase activity results in reduction of glucose absorption from sucrose and even more marked inhibition of Na+ and water absorption. Modulation of the kinetic of carbohydrate absorption may be important in the control of post-prandial hyperglycemia of the diabetic, but no evidence exists that retardation of Na+ -absorption may be of importance in the hypertensive patient.