INTESTINAL BRUSH-BORDER MEMBRANE-FUNCTION

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex organ responsible for. for example, nutrient metabolism, absorption and transport. and hormonal production and action. Furthermore, it serves as an immune barrier against invasion of enteric bacteria and toxins. Recently, a series of reviews have been published on a wide variety of aspects of the intestine, including gu1 molecular and cellular biology, intestinal absorption and secretion, small-intestinal circulation, water and electrolyte absorption and secretion, the enteric nervous system, small-intestinal motility, and celiac disease (1-8). Enteric bacteria and toxins might serve as triggers to initiate, perpetuate, 01 exacerbate a septic state and promote the development oi multiple system organ failure by inducing cytokine secretion from resident tissue macrophages, promoting a proinflammatory endothelial cell phenotype, stimulating neutrophil protease and oxidant production, and activating multiple humoral protein cascades, such as complement and coagulation (9). © 1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.