PSYLLIUM IMPROVES FECAL CONSISTENCY AND PREVENTS ENHANCED SECRETORY RESPONSES IN JEJUNAL TISSUES OF PIGLETS INFECTED WITH ETEC

Infection with enterotoxigenic E. coil (ETEC) induces secretory diarrh ea by stimulating net secretion of fluid and electrolytes. We tested t he hypothesis that ETEC potentiates jejunal ion secretion induced by o ther agonists and also examined whether the soluble fiber psyllium ame liorates effects of ETEC-induced pathophysiology. Noninfected or ETEC- infected piglets were given oral electrolyte solution twice daily or e lectrolyte solution supplemented with psyllium for 48 hr. Jejunal tiss ues were mounted in flux chambers and basal and stimulated ion transpo rt responses, as reflected by short-circuit current (I-sc) were measur ed. The severity of ETEC-induced diarrhea was reduced by psyllium. I-s c responses to carbachol and 5-hydroxytryptamine were greater in tissu es from infected piglets compared with noninfected controls or infecte d piglets given psyllium. These results suggest that psyllium ameliora tes ETEC-induced diarrhea and prevents the enhanced secretory response s to calcium-mediated agonists that occur in ETEC-infected piglet jeju num.