Insulin modulates intestinal response of suckling mice to the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin

Effect of insulin on the response of suckling mice to the enterotoxigenic E scherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) was studied. Four groups (8-1 0 in each group) of two day old Swiss Webster suckling mice were used. Five , 10, 25, and 50 mu g of insulin were given orally to half the mice in each group respectively. The rest of the mice in each group were given normal s aline as intra-litter controls. After 7 days, the suckling mouse assay for STa was performed on three mice from each insulin-treated and control group s. Enterocyte suspensions were prepared from mice in all groups. Intestinal tissue samples were taken for electron microscopy. Interaction of STa with its putative receptor on the enterocytes was evaluated using indirect immu nofluorescence and flow cytometry. The suckling mouse assay revealed a sign ificant increase in the gut weight to body weight ratio in all mice in the insulin treated groups compared to control mice (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence analyses suggested that insulin had an upre gulatory effect on the STa receptor level. Similarly, insulin was found to increase intestinal brush border membrane differentiation as indicated by t he increase in the inward movement of milk particles through the intestinal mucosa. Insulin seems to modify the structure-function of the brush border membrane including the response of suckling mice to STa. This study may pr ovide further insights into the mechanism of STa/receptor interaction in di arrhea in newborn animals and human infants.