title: Absorption of water and solute from glucose-electrolyte solutions in the human jejunum: effect of citrate or betaine.
abstract: The inclusion in oral rehydration solutions of solutes that are actively co-transported with sodium has been suggested as a means of increasing the effect of glucose on water absorption by the small intestine. Using a modified perfusion system we have examined water and solute absorption in the normal human intestine from two effervescent glucose-electrolyte solutions, containing either citrate or betaine hydrochloride, and compared the absorption rates with those from a commonly used bicarbonate-containing oral rehydration solution. Absorption of citrate (355 +/- 87 mumol/cm/h) and betaine (313 +/- 125 mumol/cm/h) occurred from the respective solutions. The inclusion of 46 mmol/l citrate or 36 mmol/l betaine in effervescent oral rehydration solutions had no effect on water or solute absorption.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University Medical School, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Leiper
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maughan
mesh_terms: D001622:Betaine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002951:Citrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005947:Glucose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013644:Tartrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D002951:Citrates; D004573:Electrolytes; D013644:Tartrates; D014867:Water; D001622:Betaine; D005947:Glucose