Sodium metabolism, small intestine

Cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract release somatostatin. Somatostatin inhibits acid secretion in the stomach and it promotes absorption of sodium, chloride and water in the small intestine and colon (Krejs 1986). The somatostatin analogs octreotide and lanreotide have been shown to decrease intestinal secretion in animal models (Botella et al 1993) and in humans with specific metabolic intestinal secretory disorders however, these drugs are not used widely in human medicine. In one study in horses, octreotide was shown to decrease gastric acidity (Sojka et al 1992) but its effects on intestinal or colonic secretion in horses have not been reported. 

I Pharmacokinetics. Valproate sodium is rapidly converted to valproic acid in the stomach, whereas divalproex sodium delayed-release and extended-release tablets must pass into the small intestine to be converted to valproic acid. Valproic acid is highly bound to albumin and other plasma proteins, and it is extensively metabolized in the liver. A summary of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination data for valproate is found in Table 68-11. ... 

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