The Effect of Polycarbophil on Water Transport in Rat Intestine

Abstract

The effect of polycarbophil, polyacrylic acid cross-linked with divinylglycol, on rat intestinal water transport was evaluated by the in-situ loop and in-situ perfusion methods. When polycarbophil was applied in the loop, the net water flux was reduced not only in the jejunum but also in the colon. With the in-situ perfusion technique it was shown that the effect of polycarbophil was to reduce water influx; water efflux was not altered. The action of polycarbophil was not affected by the osmolarity of the perfusate or the site of perfusion. The effect of polycarbophil on net water flux was greater than that of carmellose sodium. The results suggest that polycarbophil could be used to alleviate constipation.