Sorbitol induced diarrheal illness model

Twenty-five normal volunteers participated in this study to develop a model of diarrheal illness. The ideal model would induce diarrhea with consistent onset of 18 to 24 hours duration of watery stools, and have few associated symptoms. Groups of five to six each were studied. Volunteers who received castor oil experienced watery stools of short duration associated with abdominal cramps, making it an unacceptable model of disease. Sauerkraut and prune juices inconsistently caused watery stool. Seventy percent sorbitol induced watery diarrhea with few associated symptoms, and of five to six hours duration. The administration of 45 ml of 70% sorbitol six hours apart induced watery stools that met our objective and should be a suitable model for future drug testing of anti-diarrheal medications.