Digestive-absorptive function of the intestinal brush border in uremia.

Amino acid absorption was studied in chronic uremic rats. Intestinal transport of L-leucine appears to be inhibited with mild uremic intoxication, whereas severe uremia enhances absorption. Brush border activity of intestinal maltase and disaccharidases is higher in rats with chronic renal insufficiency. The same holds for gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase activity.