Studies on the Oral and Parenteral Administration of D(+)xylose

Abstract

THE absorption of xylose by the mammalian intestine was studied by Cori1 as long ago as 1925, and has recently been the subject of renewed interest in connection with studies of malabsorption syndromes in human patients. The low levels of xylose absorption reported by Cori were later attributed to the fact that he used L-xylose, which is absorbed much more slowly than its isomer, D-xylose.2 Other investigators substituted D-xylose in testing renal function and found that the urinary excretion of this pentose is proportional to the plasma concentration and is independent of the volume of urine flow.3 , 4 Helmer and Fouts, . . .