Glucose and intestinal absorption in man

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Abstract
Glucose increases absorption of sodium and water from the intestinal lumen. This glucose effect has now been extended to other solutes such as folic acid, urea, cortisol, and possibly calcium and certain amino acids. A disease state such as sprue, which alters absorption across the mucosa, inhibits glucose absorption and eliminates its enhancing action. A condition such as cholera that causes diarrhea because of increased secretion while absorption remains normal, can respond to glucose therapy by increasing absorption. Glucose may play an important role in absorption of other nutrients in the normal state and may have untapped potential in the therapy of diarrheal diseases other than cholera.