Mechanisms maintaining a low-pH microclimate in the intestine
- 1 June 1985
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physiological Society in American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
- Vol. 248 (6), G608-G617
- https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.1985.248.6.g608
Abstract
The presence of an unequilibrated region adjacent to the mucosal surface of the small intestine has long been suggested. Controversy remains as to the characteristics of this region. This study was designed to further define these characteristics. Our studies demonstrated by two independent methods, pH electrode measurement and dye indicator, that a low-pH compartment does exist at the surface of the intestine. The thickness of this microclimate was estimated to be 700 microns, comparable with that described for the unstirred water layer. Maintenance of the low-pH compartment is due to the presence of a mucus coating rather than hydrogen ion secretion. We postulate that the mucus functions as an ampholyte and restricts hydrogen ion movement in its matrix. The acidic microclimate, unstirred water layer, and the mucus coating might in fact represent a common phenomenon.This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- Intestinal Diffusion Barrier: Unstirred Water Layer or Membrane Surface Mucous Coat?Science, 1981
- Experimental analysis of hydrogen ion diffusion in gastrointestinal mucus glycoproteinAmerican Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 1981
- Intestinal transport of weak electrolytes: Determinants of influx at the luminal surface.The Journal of general physiology, 1978
- Cyanuric Chloride and N-Methyl Morpholine in Methanol as a Fixative for PolysaccharidesStain Technology, 1967
- MECHANISM OF INTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF DRUGS1959