We studied the possibility of intestinal absorption of glandular kallikrein in unanesthetized rats after administration of 5 mg of active or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride-inactivated pig pancreatic kallikrein (PPK). Immunoreactive PPK was measured in plasma and urine by radioimmunoassay using an antiserum to PPK that does not cross-react with rat glandular kallikrein. In addition, we studied the effect of intestinally administered active PPK on the intestinal blood flow distribution. Although immunoreactive PPK could not be detected (less than 10 ng/ml) in plasma after active PPK was administered, very small amounts were found in urine (20-40 ng/3 h). In the urine most of the PPK was in active form because over 75% could be bound to aprotinin-Sepharose. After inactive PPK was administered, immunoreactive PPK was detectable in the plasma of all rats, and urinary excretion was higher than after administration of active PPK. Blood flow distribution to the small intestine as a percentage of cardiac output was significantly greater 30 min after intestinal application of active PPK (5 mg) than after administration of the vehicle alone (1 ml of 0.9% saline). These results suggest that active and inactive PPK is absorbed from the gut in very small amounts. The finding of higher amounts of immunoreactive PPK in plasma and urine after inactive PPK was administered is probably due to the fact that the inactive form of the enzyme is not bound by the plasma inhibitors. These small amounts of kallikrein absorbed appear to have some effect on intestinal blood flow distribution.