Effect of coumarin and some coumarin derivatives on active transport and passive diffusion of sugars by chicken and rat intestine, in vitro.

The effect of coumarin, 4-hydroxycoumarin, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid and acenocoumarol on the active transport of D-galactose and the passive diffusion of arabinose by intestinal sacs was studied. All these substances, when added to the mucosal medium of incubation at concentrations from 10(-4) to 10(-3) M, inhibit the active transport of D-galactose and increase the diffusion of arabinose. Oxygen uptake by the intestinal tissue is only inhibited by coumarin-3-carboxylic acid. The results suggest that the effects obtained are probably due to an alteration in intestinal permeability, to inhibition of cell metabolism and to molecular size.