Absorption of homocitrulline from the gastrointestinal tract
1. Transport ofL-homocitrulline, an amino acid which occurs in milk products, was studied with rat small intestine in vitro and from the human mouth in vivo. Absorption was partially dependent, in both systems, on the presence of sodium ions.2. Metabolic inhibitors decreasedL-homocitrulline uptake across the small intestine. Transport across the intestine did not occur against the concentration gradient but did show saturation kinetics.3. The barbiturate, amytal, did not inhibit buccal absorption. Saturation kinetics were demonstrated.4. Experiments were conducted withL-citrulline, or other amino acids, as possible inhibitors ofL-homocitrulline transport. Results were compatible with Na+-dependent carrier-mediated uptake across the buccal mucosa. Active transport could be involved with the small intestine assuming thatL-homocitrulline has a low affinity for the carrier system.