Concentrative absorptive epithelia

Curcumin possesses strong antioxidant capacities, which may explain its effects against degenerative diseases in which oxidative stress plays a major role. As previously described for flavonoids, it is unlikely that curcumin acts as a direct antioxidant outside the digestive tract since its concentration in peripheral blood and organs is very low (near or below 1 pM, even after acute or long-term supplementation). Indeed, it has been shown that the intestinal epithelium limits its entry into the body, as reflected by absorption studies in various models (portal blood perfusion, everted bags). ... 

Although the ocular absorption of peptide as well as nonpeptide drugs is poor [96,196-198], the ocular route is by far the least studied for the usefulness of penetration enhancers. This is in part due to the perceived sensitivity of ocular tissues to irritation and the fear of corneal and conjunctival damage caused by the enhancers. Whereas the rat nasal epithelium may tolerate up to 5% sodium glycocholate [199], ocular administration of sodium glycocholate at a concentration of 2% and beyond induces reddening of the eye and tear production in rabbits (Kompella and Lee, unpublished observation). 

Numerous observations of non-linear relationships between PbB concentration and lead intake in humans provide further support for the existence of a saturable absorption mechanism or some other capacity limited process in the distribution of lead in humans (Pocock et al. 1983 Sherlock et al. 1984, 1986). However, in immature swine that received oral doses of lead in soil, lead dose-blood lead relationships were non-linear whereas, dose-tissue lead relationships for bone, kidney and liver were linear. The same pattern (nonlinearity for PbB and linearity for tissues) was observed in swine administered lead acetate intravenously (Casteel et al. 1997). These results suggest that the non-linearity in the lead dose-PbB relationship may derive from an effect of lead dose on some aspect of the biokinetics of lead other than absorption. Evidence from mechanistic studies for capacity-limited processes at the level of the intestinal epithelium is compelling, which would suggest that the intake-uptake relationship for lead is likely to be non-linear these studies are discussed in greater detail in Section 2.4.1. 

Although these experiments showed growth was possible using casein hydrolysate, Rose also demonstrated that when the amino acid mixture was used rather than the intact protein, additional calories had to be provided as fat plus carbohydrate, if nitrogen balance was to be maintained. It was later shown that the carbohydrate was needed to protect the free amino acids from oxidation in the intestinal epithelium in the course of absorption. Further, amino acids are poorly tolerated by mouth, causing vomiting and/or diarrhea. After World War II attempts to feed very emaciated prisoners in concentration camps with protein hydrolysates were unsuccessful. It was then recognized that osmotic effects from the amino acids were responsible for the unpleasant consequences. 

ADH, a nonapeptide, released from the posterior pituitary gland promotes re-absorption of water in the kidney. This response is mediated by vasopressin receptors of the V2 subtype. ADH enhances the permeability of collecting duct epithelium for water (but not for electrolytes). As a result, water is drawn from urine into the hyperosmolar inter-stitium of the medulla. Nicotine augments (p. 110) and ethanol decreases ADH release. At concentrations above those required for antidiuresis, ADH stimulates smooth musculature, including that of blood vessels ( vasopressin ). The latter response is mediated by receptors of the Vi subtype. Blood pressure rises coronary vasoconstriction can precipitate angina pectoris. Lypres-sin (8-L-lysine vasopressin) acts like ADH. Other derivatives may display only one of the two actions. 

Arsenious oxide in dilute solution is not absorbed by the unbroken skin, but absorption occurs from concentrated solution.6 The action is not directly on the cells of the horny layer of the epithelium, but primarily on the capillaries.7... 

PBS and gently blotted to remove blood and tissue fluids, then suspended over the lip of a small (250 pi) microcentrifuge tube and punctured with a needle to allow the bile to drain into the tube. Store frozen until assay. There is usually enough material to measure lipid composition (bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids) with standard colorimetric kits (<1 pi needed for each assay). In addition to biliary cholesterol levels, it is important to take note of bile salt concentrations, since these are the detergents which suspend dietary lipids in micelles and deliver them to the intestinal epithelium for absorption by enterocytes. Differences in bile salt concentration alone could lead to differences in cholesterol absorption. 

Consequently, absorption enhancers were used in dry powder and liquid formulations to enhance the pulmonary absorption of SCT. Without absorption enhancers, SCT absorption from dry powder or solution was similar to that observed after intratracheal administration. However, the absorption was more improved from dry powder than from solution when absorption enhancers (oleic acid, lecithin, citric acid, taurocholic acid, dimethyl-[5-cyclodextrin, octyl-P-D-glu-coside) were co-administered intratracheally. Such improved absorption could be due to the fact that enhancers added to the dry powder dissolved at high concentration because only a trace volume of fluid lining the alveolar epithelium was available for their dissolution. However, the potential implications of such a mechanism on lung toxicity, especially in lung edema, is yet to be investigated in detail [68]. 

The paracellular permeability of the nasal epithelium is approximately the same as that of the intestine, thus small hydrophilic molecules can passively diffuse between adjacent cells. Passive diffusion between the cells is driven by a concentration gradient, with the rate of absorption governed by Fick s first law of diffusion (see Section 1.3.3). 

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