[Membrane digestion and some general problems in physiology]

Abstract

A number of general problems arising from investigations of various aspects of membrane digestion has been considered in the paper. The development of this field of knowledge allowed to characterize from a new point of view the role of glycocalix, molecular physiology of intestinal enzymes, the role of recirculation of membrane proteins and intestinal barrier as well as the scale of membrane hydrolysis and transport in conditions approximated to physiological ones. The level of membrane hydrolysis and transport in vivo is several times that of in vitro experiments and of acute experiments in situ. From the data obtained it is evident that some present concepts of the level efficiency of in vivo physiological processes in the small intestine and mechanisms of their regulation ought to be reconsidered.