The influence of verapamil on calcium transport and uptake in segments of rat intestine.

The effects of verapamil on calcium transport and uptake in duodenal and jejunal segments of intestine in young male rats were determined using the everted gut-sac technique. Verapamil added to both the mucosal and serosal surface of duodenal segments decreased calcium transport and tissue uptake in a dose-related fashion over a concentration range of 1-2 mM. In jejunal segments verapamil (1 mM) added to both the mucosal and serosal surface reduced calcium transport but did not alter tissue uptake. Similarly, verapamil (1 mM) added to either the mucosal or serosal surface alone in duodenal segments reduced transport but did not depress tissue uptake. The results of this study indicate that verapamil alters calcium translocation in intestinal tissue in a fashion which is similar to that reported in other biological tissue.