Effect of lodoxamide on the secretory response induced by Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae enterotoxins in infant mice.

The effect of lodoxamide tromethamine, a calcium antagonist, on intestinal fluid accumulation induced by Escherichia coli heat-stable (ST) and Vibrio cholerae (CT) enterotoxins in infant mice was investigated. The simultaneous administration of lodoxamide with ST or CT enterotoxin resulted in a significant (P less than 0.01) inhibition of the intestinal fluid response. A minimum concentration of 10(-7) or 10(-8)M lodoxamide caused an inhibition (P less than 0.01) of the ST- or CT-mediated fluid response, respectively. Treatment of infant mice with buffer or drug alone did not result in fluid accumulation. A significant inhibition of ST and CT enterotoxic activities was also observed when lodoxamide was administered 30 min before (P less than 0.02) or 30 min after (P less than 0.01) toxin challenge. These data suggest that calcium may be important in the ST- or CT-mediated induction of fluid accumulation. Further studies on the potential use of lodoxamide tromethamine in both the prophylaxis and treatment of diarrheal disease appear warranted.