EFFECT OF A MALTODEXTRIN-ELECTROLYTE, A MALTODEXTRIN-NUTRIENT-ELECTROLYTE AND A STANDARD ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION ON WATER AND ELECTROLYTE FLUXES IN THE SECRETING RAT INTESTINE

The effects of a maltodextrin (dextrose equivalent 12)-electrolyte sol ution and a maltodextrin-electrolyte solution with added nutrients on net water and electrolyte transport in the secreting rat intestine was compared with the citrate World Health Organization oral rehydration solution to determine the need for a clinical trial to evaluate the ef ficacy of these maltodextrin solutions in acute diarrhoea treatment. C holera toxin consistently produced net water secretion (-36.5 +/- 9.9 mean +/- SEM mul/min/g dry weight of intestine). All three solutions r eversed the cholera toxin-induced net intestinal water secretion to ne t absorption. Significantly greater net water absorption occurred from the maltodextrin electrolyte solution compared to the World Health Or ganization solution (p < 0.05) but not when compared to the maltodextr in-electrolyte-nutrient solution. Net sodium, potassium and chloride f luxes due to the World Health Organization solution were not significa ntly different from the maltodextrin-electrolyte solution. These data provide a rationale for initiating a clinical trial.