Localization of hydrolysis and transport of dipeptides in the mucosa of the small intestine (established on the basis of the anoxic criterion).

The influence of anoxia on the hydrolysis and transport of certain dipeptides by the rat small intestine in vitro was investigated. It was shown that in most cases, during anoxia there is virtually complete inhibition of active transport, whereas the hydrolysis of dipeptides, both by the intact intestine and by homogenates of the mucosa, is unchanged. These data suggest an important role of membrane hydrolysis at the concluding stages of peptide digestion in the small intestine. The interrelationship of the two types of peptide hydrolysis: membrane and intracellular, is discussed on the basis of the data obtained.