enhancement by alanine and other amino acids and oligopeptides13

Improvement ofsodium absorption during the administration oforal hydra- tion solutions (OHS) could increase the efficacy offormulations used in the treatment of infan- tile diarrhea. To test this hypothesis, selected protein breakdown products were evaluated as absorption enhancers in OHS of different osmolalities and Na-to-glucose ratios in an animal model of osmotic diarrhea induced by cathartics. A very significant increase in water and Na absorption occurred in rats with diarrhea when they were perfused with a 90-mmol/L-Na, 1 1 l-mmol/L-glucose OHS containing 30 mmol/L of L-alanine (Ala). The same effect on Na retention was observed with a protein hydrolysate (PrH) in rats with diarrhea. Glycine was not effective. Other experimental OHS were ineffective in rats with diarrhea. The data indicate that in this animal model of chronic diarrhea Na transport enhancers, such as Ala and a PrH, are most efficacious in the presence ofhigher Na concentration. Am JClin Nutr 1988; 47:84-90.