Kinetic analysis of D-xylose absorption after its intragastric administration to mares deprived of food.

Multicompartmental analysis was applied to study the kinetics of D-xylose distribution after its intragastric administration to healthy mares deprived of food for 12, 36, 72, and 96 hours. Disposition of D-xylose was described by a 5-compartment model. Maximal plasma D-xylose concentration was similar for 12 and 36 hours of food deprivation and was greater (P = 0.0001) than the values for 72 and 96 hours. Peak concentration of D-xylose appeared progressively later as food deprivation proceeded (P = 0.0001). Fractional rate of transfer (k1,6) was less after 96 hours of food deprivation, compared with 12 hours (P = 0.0001), and percentage of D-xylose absorbed was reduced (P = 0.0441) after food deprivation. Fractional rate of transfer (k6,5), representing gastric emptying, tended to progressively decrease with food deprivation. Results indicated that formal kinetic analysis can be applied to D-xylose absorption kinetics in horses. Reduction in the extent of D-xylose absorption after food deprivation may be partly caused by decreased rate of D-xylose absorption across the small intestinal mucosa, but other factors, such as gastric emptying and nonabsorptive losses, may also be involved.