Drug absorption VII: influence of mesenteric blood flow on intestinal drug absorption in dogs.

Intestinal absorption of sulfaethidole and haloperidol was determined using an in situ canine intestinal preparation. Intestinal absorption of sulfaethidole was determined at three or four mesenteric blood flow rates in each dog, ranging from unaltered flow (100%) to no flow (0%). A relatively small change in absorption rate occurred when the splanchnic blood flow rate was decreased about 35%. Further reductions in mesenteric blood flow resulted in progressive impairment of sulfaethidole absorption. The simultaneous measurement of sulfaethidole intestinal disappearance and appearance in blood indicates that sulfaethidole disappearance is equivalent to absorption. Haloperidol absorption also decreased with decreased intestinal perfusion but differed from sulfaethidole in that membrane storage of haloperidol appeared to take place during its absorption.