The Hydrophobic Barrier Properties of Gastrointestinal Mucus

作者：Lenard M. Lichtenberger · 发表于：Annual Review of Physiology · 年份：1995 · DOI：10.1146/annurev.ph.57.030195.003025 · 被引用次数：335 · 研究领域：Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior、Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions、Surfactants and Colloidal Systems

Impressive evidence has accumulated over the past 12 years indicating that one of the potentially important biophysical characteristics of mucus relates to its hydrophobic character. This surface property is region specific and reaches high values in the stomach and colon, where barrier properties against noxious agents in the lumen are most important. The hydrophobic properties of mucus appear to be related to its lipidic constituents and specifically to the presence of phospholipid surfactants that are synthesized, stored, and secreted by GI mucus cells in a regulated fashion.