⁵¹Cr-labelled Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid and D-Xylose Absorption Test in Escherichia coli Enterotoxin-Induced Diarrhoea in Mice

Abstract

Background and 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 microfi laments. Both these tests hence show that E. coli enterotoxin-induced diarrhoea results in absorption and permeability changes.

Key Words:

• Diarrhoea
• Escherichia coli enterotoxin
• permeability
• xylose absorption