Studies of water movement across the gut using oral rehydration solutions in a rat perfusion model.
OBJECTIVE
To measure water influx and efflux, as well as net water, sodium and potassium absorption from a range of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) in which the glucose content had been partially replaced with the amino acid leucine or with food supplements.


METHODS
A series of in vivo steady-state perfusion studies in normal rat intestine. The oral rehydration solutions contained 60 or 90 mmol/L of sodium. The reference solution used was the World Health Organization (WHO) formula.


RESULTS
There was a significant negative correlation between the oral rehydration solution osmolality and net water absorption (r = -0.722, P < 0.05). The highest net water absorption occurred using comminuted chicken supplemented oral rehydration solution containing 60 mmol/L sodium (P < 0.001). This oral rehydration solution also showed a significant increase in the rate of influx of water (P < 0.05) in comparison with the WHO formula containing 60 mmol/L sodium.


CONCLUSIONS
This work provides further evidence that food-based oral rehydration solutions, including non-vegetable sources, may have a useful role to play in the management of patients with acute diarrhoea.
Pillai
G V
GV
Academic Department of Child Health, Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Brueton
M J
MJ
Burston
D
D
Sandhu
B K
BK
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010477:Perfusion; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012964:Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D014867:Water; D012964:Sodium; D005947:Glucose