Contribution of Bile to Radiation-induced Sodium Loss Via the Rat Small Intestine

Summary

Small intestine DNA and net small intestine transport of sodium were measured in bile-duct-ligated and sham-operated rats. DNA analyses indicated that bile played no measurable role in the extent or rate of loss, or rate of repair of the mucosa after x-irradiation. Net transport of sodium was measured in vivo after 1500 R x-irradiation in animals with and without bile-duct ligation. Three days after irradiation, leakage of sodium across the intestine from blood to lumen occurred in the absence of bile and bile acids had no significant effect on the magnitude of the leakage. It is concluded that the major contribution of bile to small intestine sodium loss after irradiation is the secretion of bile sodium rather than an action of bile acids on the intestinal transport process.