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The mechanism of lincomycin-induced diarrhoea
Abstract:
Metabolic studies were performed before and seven days after treating rats orally with lincomycin. Following the treatment the mean faecal weight increased from 302.2 g/72 hr +/- 3.8 (S.D.) to 65.5 +/- 8.2. The faecal fat excretion was unchanged, and the weight increase was mainly due to increased water content. To find whether the watery diarrhoea was due to bile acid malabsorption, the absorption rate of [14C]-taurocholic acid was measured in untreated rats and rats treated with lincomycin using an in vivo perfusion technique. There was no significant difference in bile acid absorption rate measured at three different concentrations of bile acid in the perfusate. Alternative mechanisms of lincomycin-associated diarrhoea are discussed.
Insights
Lincomycin treatment in rats caused increased fecal weight, primarily due to water retention, not fat malabsorption. Bile acid absorption remained unaffected, suggesting other causes for lincomycin-induced diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
- Animal Studies
Background:
- Lincomycin is an antibiotic known to cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea.
- The exact mechanism of lincomycin-associated diarrhea is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of lincomycin on rat metabolism and fecal characteristics.
- To determine if bile acid malabsorption contributes to lincomycin-induced watery diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic studies were conducted on rats before and after oral lincomycin administration.
- Fecal weight and water content were analyzed.
- In vivo perfusion technique was used to measure the absorption rate of [14C]-taurocholic acid.
Main Results:
- Oral lincomycin administration significantly increased mean fecal weight.
- The increase in fecal weight was primarily attributed to increased water content, with no change in fecal fat excretion.
- Bile acid absorption rates were not significantly different between lincomycin-treated and untreated rats.
Conclusions:
- Lincomycin-induced diarrhea in rats is likely due to increased fecal water content.
- Bile acid malabsorption is not the primary mechanism responsible for this side effect.
- Alternative mechanisms for lincomycin-associated diarrhea warrant further investigation.