Kinetic characteristics of calcium absorption and secretion by rat colon.

The kinetic characteristics of calcium active transport in rat descending colon were determined by measuring unidirectional transmural calcium fluxes in vitro. The absorptive flux from mucosa to serosa (Jm leads to s) was saturable, with a calculated affinity (Kt) of calcium for the transport system of 1.6 mM and a maximal transport capacity (Vmax) of 133 nmol.cm-2.h-1. The administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] increased Jm leads to s by increasing Vmax to 236 nmol.cm-2.h-1 without changing Kt (1.8 mM). The secretory flux from serosa to mucosa (Js leads to m) was not saturable and was not increased by 1,25(OH)2D3. Mannitol, a marker of transepithelial extracellular flux, underwent net absorption in the absence of electrochemical gradients, and its Jm leads to s and Js leads to m were not altered by 1,25(OH)2D3 administration. Addition of 11 mM D-glucose to the bathing medium consistently increased calcium Js leads to m and mannitol Jm leads to s and Js leads to m. Glucose reduced net calcium absorption except when sodium was removed from the medium. Calcium Js leads to m varied linearly with mannitol Js leads to m over the range of medium calcium from 0.125 to 5.0 mM. The behavior of calcium absorption by descending colon is compatible with a carrier-mediated, active-transport mechanism, whereas calcium secretion occurs by a nonsaturable process via a predominately paracellular pathway.