Absorption of amino acids in different parts of the small intestine in growing pigs. IV. Effect of sugars on absorption of amino acids and water.

The study was performed on pigs weighing 50-75 kg with temporarily isolated loops of the small intestine. The isolated segments were perfused with solutions containing casein hydrolysates and different concentrations of sugars (up to 50 g/l). The effect of the sugars depended on their type and amount, and on the type of the hydrolysate; addition of 10 g/l sugar to the enzymic hydrolysate of casein which was only partly hydrolysed did not affect absorption of the latter. The absorption of most amino acids was depressed in the presence of 20 g/l lactose or sucrose or of 20-50 g/l glucose, the effect of lactose being least evident. Sugars and amino acids stimulated the net absorption of water only from isotonic or slightly hypertonic solutions: addition of 50 g/l glucose significantly depressed the net absorption of water.