[Comparative effects of oral rehydratation solutions in experimental cholera in the rat].
The composition of the World Health Organisation (WHO) solution in oral rehydration therapy has remained controversial because of its total osmolarity (303 mosm/L) and higher sodium concentration (90 mEq/L), increasing the risk of hypernatraemia.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of two reduced-osmolarity oral rehydration solutions (S1: 268 mosm/L and 50 mEq/L Na(+); S2: 240 mosm/L and 60 mEq/L Na(+) ) with the WHO recommended formula taken as the reference solution. Water, electrolytes and glucose fluxes were directly measured in vivo, in isolated ligated loops of rat jejunum (n=12). Intestinal secretion was induced by exposing jejunum to cholera toxin (CT=20 microg/loop).


RESULTS
All three test solutions similarly reversed cholera toxin-induced net water absorption (3.37 +/- 1.35; 3.31 +/- 0.43 and 3.13 +/- 0.66 microL/min.cm(2) for S1, S2 and WHO solutions respectively). However, net Na secretion induced by cholera toxin was observed with S1 and S2 while Na absorption occurred with the WHO solution.


CONCLUSIONS
For a same amount of water absorbed, Na absorption from reduced - osmolarity rehydration solutions is lower than with the WHO solution. Our data may contribute to a better rationale for the use of orally administered hydration solutions in man.
Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Tunis.
R
R
Beji Serairi
L
L
Zouiten Mekki
L
L
Manoubi Tekaya
S
S
Omar
F
F
Guemira
A
A
Ghanem
A
A
Ben Mansour
D000818:Animals; D002771:Cholera / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D012964:Sodium; D005947:Glucose