Concentration-dependent preferences of absorptive and excretive transport cause atypical intestinal absorption of cyclic phenylalanylserine: small intestine acts as an interface between the body and ingested compounds

Abstract

Intestinal absorption of cyclic phenylalanylserine (cyclo(Phe-Ser)), a precursor of gliotoxin, was studied in isolated rat small intestine as a model cyclic dipeptide. Absorption clearance (CLabs) decreased in the presence of glycylsarcosine, cephalexin or cephradine, substrates for H+/oligopeptide cotransporter (PEPT1). CLabs of cyclo(Phe-Ser) also decreased at 4 degrees C. These indicate that cyclo(Phe-Ser) is in part transported by PEPT1. However, Eadie-Hofstee plot of absorption revealed an atypical profile at lower concentrations of cyclo(Phe-Ser) (around 0.1 mM). Moreover, comparative experiments of absorptive and excretive transport showed that excretive transport from the serosal to mucosal side of isolated intestinal tissue at a 0.1 mM cyclo(Phe-Ser) was superior to absorptive transport from the mucosal side to the serosal side, and vise versa at a 1 mM cyclo(Phe-Ser). These results as well as the results of kinetic analysis indicate that intestinal absorption consists of passive transport, carrier-mediated absorptive transport by PEPT1 and carrier-mediated excretive transport, resulting in atypical absorption. Although cyclic dipeptides have potentials for drug, their intestinal absorption may be complex. The results of this study lead us conclude that absorptive and excretive transport by the small intestine acts as an interface between the body and ingested compounds.