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Summary
The transfer of various Np(IV) and Np(V) chemical forms across the small intestine of rats was measured in instilled and perfused jejunum. Instillation of Np(V) nitrate together with citrate or DTPA resulted in the same absorption of Np as after instillation of Np(V) nitrate alone (3 per cent per hour). Perfusion of Np(V) nitrate with bicarbonate or DTPA resulted in a similar transfer (2 per cent) but added citrate or ascorbate resulted in reduced transfer (0·8 per cent). Addition of phytate reduced Np transfer in both instilled and perfused jejunum (0·4 per cent).
Np(IV) transfer was usually the same as, or less than that of, the corresponding Np(V) forms. Np(IV) transfer was similar in perfused and instilled jejunum, increasing from 0·2 per cent in the presence of citrate and phytate, to 1 per cent with EDTA and DTPA.
Except for phytate, all the forms of Np(V) tested behaved like Np(V) nitrate after transfer from the intestine or after intravenous injection. By contrast, the behaviour of Np(IV) varied for all the forms tested and, for a given form, varied as a function of the experimental procedure used, i.e. jejunal instillation, perfusion, or intravenous injection.
These findings suggest that the intestinal transfer of Np might occur via the intercellular pathway, and that it is controlled by both the molecular weight of the Np compound and its stability constant.