Effect of Sulfated and Sulfonated Surfactants on the Intestinal Absorption of Heparin

SummaryThe intraduodenal intubation of heparin-35S in solution with sulfated or sulfonated surfactants in both the rat and dog has been shown to result in the appearance of circulating clearing factor (lipoprotein lipase). The increase in enzymic activity was paralleled by a proportional increase in serum radioactivity. The clearing factor response occurred within 15 min in both species and reached a maximum in the dog within 30–40 minutes. The relatively slow appearance of both clearing factor and radioactivity in the thoracic duct lymph of the dog indicated that absorption was proceeding via the portal circulation. Approximately 2% of the total dose was absorbed, 50% of the absorbed heparin accumulating in the liver. Negligible radioactivity was found in the muscle and perirenal fat.