Structural restriction in bile acids and non-ionic detergents for promotion of heparin absorption from rat gastro-intestinal tract.

Selected non-ionic surfactants of the polyoxyethylene ether series as well as selected bile acids elicit plasma clearing activity (PC) after oral heparin administration by action on the gastro-intestinal mucosa. Evidence obtained indicates that certain structural characteristics are needed for promoting heparin absorption, since this effect is observed with some but not all non-ionic detergents (cetyl and stearyl ethers but not lauryl) and bile components (deoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic and cholic acids, but not ursodeoxycholic or dehydrocholic acids or lecithin). It is suggested that a specific mechanism of action is involved.