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Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University P.O Box 5969, Safat, 13060, State of Kuwait, Fax. + 965-4847054)

e-mail: albalool@kuc0l.kuniv.edu.kw

 ABSTRACT

The effects of luminal enterotoxin Escherichai coli STa (1000 mg ml^-1) on fluid transport across jejuna and ilea taken from fed, starved (4 days, water ad lib) and undernourished (50% of control food intake for 21 days) gerbils were investigated. The effects of luminal procaine (2.7 mg m1^-1) and luminal lidocaine (1mg m1^-1) on the basal fluid transport as well as on the STa-induced fluid secretion were also investigated. STa increased fluid transport across the two regions of the small intestine in the three feeding conditions. Procaine selectively increased fluid absorption in the ileum from fed gerbils but reversed fluid secretion into absorption in the starved ileum. Procaine reversed STa-induced fluid secretions into absorption in fed jejuna and ilea, but had no significant effect on STa induced fluid transport across jejuna and ilea taken from starved and undernourished gerbils. Lidocaine reversed STa-induced fluid secretion into absorption in fed jejuna but had no significant effect on STa-induced fluid transport in fed ilea and on fluid transport in both regions of the small intestine taken from starved animals. The results showed that surface anaesthetics such as procaine and lidocaine have selective effects on fluid transport across the small intestine of the gerbil. Information on enterotoxin (Escherichia coli) as secretalogue is of direct significance in diarrhoea and food poisoning.