Non-linear Intestinal Absorption Kinetics of Cefadroxil in the Rat

Abstract Absorption of Cefadroxil in a selective intestinal absorption area (the proximal third of the small intestine) of the anaesthetized rat, at seven initial perfusion concentrations, ranging from 0·01 to 10·0 mg mL−1, is shown to be a non-linear transport mechanism. With the aid of computer-fitting procedures based on differential and integrated forms of Michaelis-Menten equation, Vm and Km values of 36·7–37·3 mg h−1 and 12·0–13·0 mg, respectively, were found. The statistical parameters were better than those obtained both for first-order and for combined Michaelis-Menten and first-order kinetics. There is no evidence for substantial passive diffusion processes. The results reported h…