Humoral Control by the Kidney of Intestinal Transport of Sodium

The impairment of water and sodium absorption by the jejunum following an acute saline load depends on the dietary balance of sodium, the mucosa-to-serosa unidirectional flux of this ion being modulated by a direct effect of the changes in blood concentration and by a humoral material of renal origin which itself is released as a consequence of either chronic or acute sodium loading. A possible interference of mineralocorticosteroids, angiotensin or antidiuretic hormone seems to be excluded. A positive correlation exists between mucosa-to-serosa sodium flux and glucose absorption. The kidney controls the exchanges of sodium and water in the jejunum as well as in the kidney itself by the way of an endocrine function.