Action of T-2 toxin on gastrointestinal transit in mice: protective effect of an argillaceous compound

Using sodium [51Cr]chromate as radiolabeled marker, gastrointestinal transit of a milk test meal was determined in mice receiving for 4 days T-2 toxin (1 mg/kg per day per os) alone or with a clay, smectite (2 g/kg per day), given according to four different procedures. Gastric emptying and small intestinal transit were significantly accelerated after the 1st T-2 administration and during the 4 days of treatment. When smectite was given together with the toxin with or without pretreatment by smectite alone for 2 days, the T-2 induced disturbances in gastrointestinal transit remained unchanged. A pretreatment by smectite for 4 days abolished the T-2 induced acceleration of gastric emptying but not of small intestinal transit. When T-2 was incubated with smectite for 24 h before oral administration, gastric emptying and small intestinal transit were not significantly accelerated.