Calcium and Strontium in Rat Small Intestine Their Fluxes and Their Effect on Na Flux

Studies have been carried out on movements of Ca and Sr ions in rat small intestine, using the in vivo preparation developed by Curran and Solomon (5). In the concentration range of 0 to 25 mM, Sr flux appears to be passive, though restricted. Ca transport may not, however, be ascribed to passive independent movement of these ions since at higher concentrations (12.5 and 25 mM) Ca return from blood to intestinal lumen increases more than expected. An apparent diffusion coefficient of Ca and Sr ions in the membrane has been calculated and the influence of negative charges within the membrane on cation diffusion has been examined in a semiquantitative manner. Both Ca and Sr ions exercise a drastic effect on active Na absorption from intestine and on concomitant passive water movement. From 0 to 1 mM, Ca and Sr ions cause a sharp increase in Na and water efflux from the lumen. This rising phase is interpreted in terms of combination of the divalent cation with the Na carrier system following Michaelis-Menten kinetics. At concentrations higher than 1 mM, the effect of Ca and Sr ions is reversed and Na and water absorption decreases slowly as Ca or Sr concentration is increased. This falling phase is ascribed to a non-specific Ca effect which produces a general "stiffening" of the membrane.