Colchicine enhances intestinal permeability in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.
OBJECTIVE
Colchicine therapy is complicated by frequent gastrointestinal adverse effects.


METHODS
We compared intestinal permeability in 21 patients with familial Mediterranean fever on long-standing colchicine therapy (mean 5.8 years) and significant gastrointestinal complaints and 12 untreated patients and 14 healthy volunteers. The double probe (lactulose/mannitol) permeability test was performed using a hyperosmolar test solution (1580 mosmol) and the differential urinary recovery ratios were calculated.


RESULTS
Familial Mediterranean fever patients on colchicine therapy had significantly higher lactulose/mannitol urinary excretion ratios (0.073) compared to untreated patients (0.035) and to healthy controls (0.021). Untreated familial Mediterranean fever patients had significantly greater urinary lactulose/mannitol recovery ratios than controls (P < 0.02). No correlation was found between the degree of enhanced permeability and the length of exposure to the drug or the severity of clinical symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal permeability was significantly enhanced in patients with familial Mediterranean fever treated with colchicine.
Fradkin
A
A
Pediatric Gastrointestinal Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Yahav
J
J
Diver-Haber
A
A
Zemer
D
D
Jonas
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000652:urine; D008353:Mannitol / Q000652:urine; D010539:Permeability
D008353:Mannitol; D007792:Lactulose; D003078:Colchicine