Reduced Plasma Guanylin Levels Following Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-Induced Diarrhea

The intestinal peptide hormones guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) interact with the epithelial cell receptor guanylate cyclase C to regulate fluid homeostasis. Some enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) produce heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), which induces diarrhea by mimicking GN UGN. Plasma concentrations of prohormones (proGN) UGN (proUGN) are reportedly decreased during chronic diarrheal diseases. Here we investigate whether prohormone also drop acute caused ST-producing ETEC strains TW10722 TW11681. Twenty-one volunteers were experimentally infected ETEC. Blood (n = 21) urine 9) specimens obtained immediately before 1, 2, 3, 7 days after ingestion. Concentrations proGN proUGN measured ELISA. Urine electrolyte photometry mass spectrometry. Ten developed (D group), eleven did not (ND group). In D group, plasma proGN, but proUGN, substantially reduced on 2 coinciding one day onset. No changes seen in ND group. seemed affect diuresis, zinc/creatinine ratio, sodium chloride secretion levels urine. ETEC-induced causes a reduction could potentially be useful marker for isotonic loss.