Characteristics of the K(+)-ion transport in the rat intestine following the use of natural zeolites as food additives

Effects of zeolites as a food supplement have been studied on Wistar rats both in vivo perfusion experiments in the jejunum and distal colon and Rb fluxes through intestinal wall in the Ussing chamber. It has been found that zeolites decrease the K+ absorption and stimulate K+ secretion in the gut. This effect was due to inhibition of the apical N(+)-K(+)-ATPase and ouabain-sensitive Na(+)-independent K(+)-ATPase as well as the activation of the basolateral N(+)-K(+)-ATPase.