INFLUENCE OF ADRENALECTOMY UPON THE RATE OF GLUCOSE ABSORPTION FROM THE INTESTINE

Abstract

Intestinal glucose absorption by Cori''s method involves the influx into the stomach of a large vol. of concentrated soln. during a few secs. As such the method measures absorption under special conditions. Adrenalectomy reduced absorption in rats under these conditions unless a NaCl supplement was administered prior to testing. Reduced food intake was not a factor. The impaired glucose absorption rate in adrenalectomized animals is not due to the lack of influence of any adrenal cortex hormone on the intestinal mucosa, but to the consequent disturbance of salt metabolism. This disturbance is not concerned with withdrawal of salt into the intestinal tract, by the hypertonic glucose soln. because the amt. of salt withdrawn is uninfluenced by prior NaCl supplements which maintain glucose absorption at a normal level.