Effects of Sugars on Potential Difference Across Wall of Small Intestine of Rodents

Abstract

Summary 1. The potential difference across the wall of the middle section of the small intestine was determined with rats, golden hamsters, and guinea pigs in vitro. The value obtained when normal Ringer's fluid was applied to the mucosal side was 8.7 ± 1.4 mv for the rat, 6.7 ± 1.2 mv for the golden hamster, and 5.9 ± 1.0 mv for the guinea pig, the serosal side being positive. 2. The potential difference was affected by sugars applied on the mucosal side. With rats and hamsters, the PD was enhanced by glucose, galactose, and 3-0-methyl glucose but not by fructose or sorbitol. 3. The potential difference was supported by glucose and galactose in the guinea pig intestine. Fructose gave a transitory enhancement in the potential difference, but 3-0-methyl glucose and sorbitol had no effect.