51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and D-xylose absorption test in Escherichia coli enterotoxin-induced diarrhoea in mice.
METHODS
D-Xylose and 51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) absorption tests were evaluated in control and Escherichia coli heat-stable, heat-labile, and both heat-stable and heat-labile enterotoxin-induced diarrhoea in mice.


RESULTS
The absorption of D-xylose was greatest 45 min after its ingestion in both control and enterotoxin-treated groups. There was a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in xylose absorption at 45 min in all the three experimental groups as compared with the control group, which may be due to change in membrane fluidity and hence change in membrane permeability, whereas 51Cr-EDTA absorption was at its maximum 15 min after its ingestion in both control and experimental groups. And there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in 51Cr-EDTA absorption in enterotoxin-treated groups as compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a change in tight junctional permeability which may be due to change in the cytoskeletal microfilaments. Both these tests hence show that E. coli enterotoxin-induced diarrhoea results in absorption and permeability changes.
Verma
M
M
Dept of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Ganguly
N K
NK
Majumdar
S
S
Walia
B N
BN
D000818:Animals; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004926:Escherichia coli; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D014994:Xylose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D004768:Enterotoxins; D004492:Edetic Acid; D014994:Xylose