The effect of Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin on the trans-epithelial intestinal elimination of ciprofloxacin in the rabbit

Abstract

The effect of Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin (ST) on the intestinal trans-epithelial elimination of ciprofloxacin was studied in the rabbit model. Following a systemic 27 mg/kg dose, excreted amounts of ciprofloxacin during the 2 h experiment were: 9.3 (± 4.8); 12.5 (± 5.2) and 0.3 (± 0.1) μg/cm2 surface of intestinal wall in ST-challenged jejunal, ileal and caecal loops, respectively. In control loops the corresponding amounts were: 5.0 (± 2.8), 6.5 (± 3.4) and 0.3 (± 0.1) μg/cm2, respectively. The trans-epithelial elimination of ciprofloxacin was significantly higher in ST-challenged small bowel loops than in controls while caecal elimination was negligible.