New drug targets for cholera therapy.
Intestinal infection with Vibrio cholerae results in secretory diarrhea with potentially massive fluid losses and volume depletion. Morbidity and mortality associated with cholera remain a major problem in the developing world despite the success of oral rehydration therapy. New research aiming to inhibit cholera toxin binding to receptors in the intestine provides an attractive strategy for cholera therapy. Together with anti-secretory agents, including inhibitors of enkephalinase and of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, new treatment options for managing severe diarrhea in cholera could soon be available.
Thiagarajah
Jay R
JR
Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0521, USA.
Verkman
A S
AS
D000818:Animals; D002771:Cholera / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000187:drug effects; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D015260:Neprilysin