Intestinal Absorption of D-Xylose in Man

Abstract

The d-xylose absorption test is useful in the diagnosis of tropical and idiopathic sprue,^{1 2 3 4} but results are variable in other disorders and in elderly persons without intestinal disease.^{5 , 6} Interpretation of this test is hampered by lack of information on the extent to which spontaneous variation and physiologic phenomena may affect xylose absorption. Consequently, we have studied the following aspects of dxylose absorption in the normal human intestine: the amount of an orally ingested dose that is actually absorbed in the small intestine and the degree of correlation of intestinal absorption with urinary excretion of this pentose; the site of absorption . . .