Enteric hyperoxaluria and oxalate urolithiasis in patients with ileal resection seem to be caused by intestinal hyperabsorption of oxalate. The mechanism responsible for hyperabsorption of oxalate is not known. Intestinal transport of oxalic acid was therefore examined by an in vitro technique in rat intestine. Oxalic acid was absorbed by a mechanism of simple passive diffusion. The rate of absorption decreased from the colon to the duodenum (colon greater than ileum greater than jejunum greater than duodenum). Bile acids enhanced oxalic acid absorption in the large and small intestine and increased extracellular space; calcium, however, markedly decreased mucosal-serosal transport of oxalic acid. Cholestyramine known to reduce oxalate excretion in hyperuxaluria associated with ileal resection did not directly affect absorption of oxalic acid, but decreased the enhanced absorption of oxalic acid induced by bile acids. The results suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effect of cholestyramine in hyperuxaluria is rather mediated by its bile acid binding activity than by direct binding of oxalic acid.