Intestinal absorption of copper: effect of sodium

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-185-42545· OSTI ID:6155609

Wapnir, R A; Stiel, L

The mechanisms of copper (Cu) absorption from the small intestinal lumen are poorly understood. In this study the authors investigated the role of sodium (Na) during the removal of Cu from the lumen of jejunal and ileal segments. Intestinal absorption of Cu from a 31 M solution was highest in the presence of an isotonic concentration of NaCl, as compared to solutions containing either glycerol (GRL) or N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG) as osmotic agents. In the jejunum, mean +/- SEM Cu absorption rates in the presence of the following solutes were: with NaCl, 57.5 +/- 10.5 pmole/min x cm; with GRL, 13.3 +/- 14.7; with NMG, 18.4 +/- 10.1. In the ileum, copper absorption in the presence of NaCl was 64.4 +/- 9.6; with GRL, 24.3 +/- 10.1 with NMG, 15.8 +/- 3.7. Kinetic analysis of the carrier-mediated component of Cu absorption in rat jejunum yielded a V/sub max/ = 47.5 pmole/min x cm and an apparent K/sub t/ = 21 M. The diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 1.4 x 10 V cmS/sec. The absorption of Cu was independent of net water absorption, which was highest in the presence of GRL and abolished and reversed into secretion by NMG. The data obtained are indicative of a significant role of Na in the small intestinal transport of Cu, in vivo, although not directly related to unidirectional water fluxes. The cation specificity of Na in this process remains to be elucidated.

• Research Organization: North Shore Univ. Hospital, Manhasset, NY
• OSTI ID: 6155609
• Journal Information: Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States), Vol. 185:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
COPPER
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
SODIUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
RATS
SODIUM CHLORIDES
ABSORPTION
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALI METALS
ANIMALS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
METALS
RODENTS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
550500* - Metabolism