ARTICLES

Vitamin K1 intestinal absorption in vivo: influence of luminal contents on transport

Intestinal absorption of [3H]phylloquinone was investigated in the unanesthetized rat by the use of a technique of recirculating perfused isolated intestinal segments. Apparent saturation kinetics were found as the concentration of the vitamin in the perfusate was increased in a stepwise fashion from 15 nM to 300 muM. Alkalinization of the perfusate or the addition of 2.5 mM linoleic acid to the perfusate caused a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in the absorption rate of phylloquinone. Modifications in the perfusate concentration of sodium taurocholate, the substitution of a nonionic detergent (Pluronic F-68) for sodium taurocholate, the addition of medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids, or the addition of vitamins K2 and K3 to the perfusate did not alter the absorption rate of the vitamin. Decreasing the thickness of the unstirred water layer by increasing the perfusion rate caused a significant increase in phylloquinone absorption rate. In vivo absorption of vitamin K1 appears to be mediated by an energy requiring saturable transport mechanism. The composition of the perfusate, its pH, and its rate of flow are all important determinants of vitamin K1 absorption rate.