Effects of Enterotoxin B on Intestinal Transport in Vitro

Summary The effect of enterotoxin B on intestinal transport was tested using an everted sac of the middle section of the small intestine in rats. Severe inhibition at the toxin concentration of 2 mg/liter was observed on the net transport of water, Na, K, Cl, glucose and lactate. The degree of inhibition was, however, graded; whereas the transports of water, Na, K and glucose were reduced in the same degree the chloride transport was severely inhibited so that the normally occurring net absorption turned into a net secretion. The lactic acid transport was least affected. The metabolic indices, oxygen uptake and lactic acid production, were not influenced by enterotoxin at the concentration of 2 mg/liter as well as 20 mg/liter.