Abstract
Summary
Magnesium absorption by the rat small intestine in vivo was studied by a perfusion technique under controlled conditions. Net magnesium absorption per unit weight of intestinal segment was significantly greater in duodenum than in ileum. However, comparisons with previous studies of calcium transport using a similar experimental model show that magnesium was less well absorbed than calcium in the duodenum, while ileal absorption rates were almost equal. Tissue concentrations of magnesium were higher in the duodenum than in ileum, the reverse of the pattern for calcium. Neither tissue calcium nor the secretion of calcium into the intestinal lumen was influenced by transported magnesium.
We thank Dr. Paul E. Leaverton for his advice and help with statistical analyses of the data.
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