Premicellar taurocholate enhances calcium uptake from all regions of rat small intestine

The specific components of bile, which is necessary for normal calcium absorption, are unknown. We have previously shown that Ca2+ is bound with high affinity by premicellar taurocholate. The current studies examined the effects of taurocholate on intestinal calcium transport.

Intestinal Ca2+ uptakes were measured from proximal, mid, and distal small intestinal segments perfused with solutions containing 45CaCl2 (0.1-1 mmol/L), taurocholate (0-10 mmol/L), trihydroxymethylaminomethane buffer (pH 7), phenolsulfonpthalein (nonabsorbable marker), and NaCl (total ionic strength, 0.16 mol/L) for four randomized perfusion periods. In other studies, the proximal small intestine was divided into two equal segments and perfused with either 45CaCl2 or 45CaCl2 plus taurocholate (2.5-5 mmol/L). Calcium absorption was measured from the difference in uptake and calcium concentration retained in mucosa. Finally, effects of taurocholate on Ca2+ uptake across isolated brush border membrane vesicles were measured.

Premicellar taurocholate produced an approximately 1.7-2-fold enhancement (P < 0.01) in Ca2+ uptake in all regions, with lesser contributions from micellar taurocholate. These effects resulted in a net increase in calcium absorption. Premicellar taurocholate also significantly increased calcium uptake across brush border vesicles.

Premicellar taurocholate significantly enhances calcium uptake into, and absorption across, enterocytes. The mechanisms remain to be experimentally verified.