Open AccessContraction induced by Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin in the isolated rat ileum
Author(s) -
Sakurai Jun,
Nagahama Masahiro,
Takahashi Toshihiro
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1989.tb03057.x
Subject(s) - clostridium perfringens , contraction (grammar) , toxin , tetrodotoxin , ileum , verapamil , tetraethylammonium , muscle contraction , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , endocrinology , medicine , bacteria , calcium , potassium , organic chemistry , genetics
Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin caused contraction of the isolated ileum of the rat in a dose‐dependent manner. The contraction caused by the toxin was inhibited by a low Na medium, tetrodotoxin (TTX), atropine, mecamylamine or tetraethylammonium (TEA). Furthermore, the contractile response induced by the toxin was abolished by incubation in Ca‐free medium, and completely restored by the addition of Ca 2+ . In addition, verapamil inhibited contraction induced by the toxin in a dose‐dependent manner. These data suggest that epsilon toxin induces contraction of the isolated ileum and that the toxin‐elicited contraction is the result of an indirect action mediated through the nervous systems.