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Oral absorption tests: absorption site of each substrate
1Department of Surgery II, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan.
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|January 23, 1998
Summary
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients showed impaired absorption across multiple oral tests, including the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (NBT-PABA) test. Small bowel integrity is crucial for accurate NBT-PABA test results.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Digestive Physiology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS) presents significant malabsorption challenges.
- Accurate assessment of intestinal absorption is vital for managing SBS.
- Existing oral absorption tests require validation in SBS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of three oral absorption tests in SBS patients.
- To determine the absorption sites of specific substrates in the small intestine.
- To assess the role of the duodenum and proximal jejunum in nutrient absorption.
Main Methods:
- Administered N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (NBT-PABA), D-xylose, and oral fat tolerance tests to eight SBS patients.
- Collected urine for PABA and D-xylose measurements; measured serum triacylglycerol levels.
- Included healthy volunteers as controls for the oral fat tolerance test.
Main Results:
- All eight SBS patients exhibited abnormal results on all three oral absorption tests.
- Small bowel integrity was found to be critical for the NBT-PABA test's efficacy.
- The duodenum and proximal jejunum showed minimal contribution to D-xylose and triacylglycerol absorption.
Conclusions:
- The NBT-PABA test is a sensitive indicator of small bowel integrity in SBS.
- The proximal small intestine plays a limited role in the absorption of D-xylose and fats.
- Oral absorption tests offer valuable insights into SBS pathophysiology and management.