The effect of sodium deoxycholate given by gavage with heparin on the histology of the intestinal mucosa of the rat.

To gain direct insight into the mechanism of sodium deoxycholate (DOC)-induced enhancement of gastroenteral heparin absorption in rats, we performed light and electron microscopic examination of the mucosa of the small intestine of animals treated orally with DOC, heparin or DOC plus heparin. The sole morphological change observed after DOC and DOC plus heparin administration was a marked reduction in the length and distribution of glycocalyx filaments on the microvilli of epithelial cells. The morphological picture had reverted to normal after 24 h, when the promotion of enteral heparin absorption by DOC is greatly reduced. Thus, we suggest that DOC may promote the enteral absorption of heparin in rats by affecting some as yet unidentified barrier mechanism requiring glycocalyx integrity.