Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 43, 517-522, Copyright © 1976 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Absorption of inorganic phosphate in the human jejunum and its inhibition by salmon calcitonin

D Juan, P Liptak and TK Gray

The jejunal absorption of inorganic phosphate (P) was studied under basal conditions and during the intravenous infusion of synthetic salmon calcitonin (SCT) in normal subjects. Net P absorption increased as the intraluminal P concentration was raised. At intraluminal P concentrations equal to or above the plasma P level P absorption manifested first order kinetics. At intraluminal P concentrations below the plasma P level, net P absorption was non-linear presumably due to the movement of P from plasma to the lumen down a chemical gradient. A net secretion of water and electrolytes occurred in six normal subjects given SCT (250 ng/kg/hr) while saline infusion instead of SCT had no effect on jejunal absorption. Along with the secretory effect SCT reduced calcium and P absorption by 58% and 62% respectively, without any significant fall in the serum levels of calcium or P. The jejunal response to SCT was reproduced twice in a hypoparathyroid subject showing that endogenous parathyroid hormone was not involved in this effect. Calcium and P absorption were positively correlated with water movement suggesting that the observed changes in calcium and P absorption are due primarily to SCT-induced secretion of water. It is concluded that SCT induces a net secretion of water and ions while simultaneously reducing calcium and P absorption.