Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
The influence of commonly used immunosuppressive drugs on the small bowel functions - a comparative experimental
Maciej Malinowski1, Peter Martus, Peter Neuhaus
1Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany.
Background:
Gastrointestinal side effects of immunosuppressive drugs have got a high importance in clinical practice. The aim of this basic experimental study was to characterize the direct and immediate influence of seven commonly used immunosuppressive drugs on the small bowel functions. Therefore, the influence of ciclosporin A, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, enteric coated MPA, sirolimus, everolimus and FTY720 on-glucose absorption (I-GLU), chloride secretion (I-CHL), and barrier function (I-BAR) was investigated.
Material/Methods:
Jejunum of Wistar rats was mounted into modified Ussing-chambers and thereafter incubated with a low (therapeutic) or high (toxic) concentration of immunosuppressive drugs for one hour. I-GLU was measured by 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranose kinetics. I-CHL was assessed through basal, bumetanide inhibited and theophylline + PgE(2 )activated short circuit current difference. I-BAR was assessed by transepithelial resistance and( 3)H-Lactulose-Flux.
Results:
No differences were observed within the analyzed parameters whether immunosuppressive drugs were added from mucosal or serosal intestine side. The glucose absorption was not influenced by any of the analyzed immunosuppressive drugs. The small intestine barrier function was diminished by everolimus in the toxic group only. Only mycophenolate mofetil and EC-MPA decreased chloride secretion in the toxic concentration. None of the analyzed drugs increased chloride secretion.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, the analyzed immunosuppressive drugs had no direct and immediate influence on gastrointestinal function in therapeutic concentrations. However, toxic concentrations of mycophenolate mofetil, enteric coated MPA, and everolimus might be of importance for local effects on small bowel function due to oral application.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Disease States and Pharmacology
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...

