Mucosal permeability of ileal and colonic reservoirs for urine

Objectives To evaluate the intestinal mucosal permeability in continent reservoirs for urine. Patients and methods The mucosal permeability in continent urinary reservoirs, constructed either from an ileal or a colonic segment (six patients each), was assessed by analysing serial samples of plasma, after instilling the reservoir with Cr-51-ethylene diaminetetra-acetic acid (Cr-51-EDTA), and serum, after instillation with polyethylene glycol (PEG 400). Results There was no or negligible permeation of Cr-51-EDTA and PEG 400 in either type of reservoir, as there was no significant increase of the markers in plasma and serum, respectively. Conclusion The intestinal barrier to medium-sized hydrophilic molecules seems intact in continent urinary reservoirs, The lack of significant permeation of Cr-51-EDTA confirms the usefulness of a single injection of Cr-51-EDTA for the determination of glomerular filtration rate in patients with intestinal urinary diversion.