Vascularly perfused rat small intestine: a research model for drug absorption

Rat isolated small intestine was perfused at a fixed flow rate through the superior mesenteric artery with whole rat blood recycled from a devised oxygenator-reservoir. As indicated by perfusion pressure, tissue glucose and oxygen consumption, and histological studies, the perfused intestine remained in a viable state over the perfusion period of 2 hr. Rapid absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract was observed after the intraduodenal injection. When single doses of acetaminophen were injected into the duodenal lumen or poured over the perfused intestine, the absorption was rapid and dose-dependent. Shortly after single intraduodenal injections of salicylamide, salicylamide in free and conjugated forms (sulfate and glucuronide) appeared in the circulating blood. These results indicate that the vascularly perfused intestinal preparation has wide applications in biochemical experimental fields.