[Response to cholera toxin of 2 epithelial intestinal cell lines. Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii].

Cholera toxin acts in vivo by activating intestinal adenylate cyclase. This study was designed to determine (1) whether normal rat epithelial intestinal cell lines (IRD 98 and IEC 17) respond to cholera toxin (CT) by an increased concentration of cyclic AMP and (2) whether the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, which reduced CT-induced secretion of water and electrolytes using the isolated jejunal loop technique, has an effect on these models. The cAMP concentration evaluated in cells exposed to Saccharomyces boulardii and to cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml for 90 min) was compared to the concentration of cAMP obtained in control cells without yeast. Prior exposure of IRD 98 and IEC 17 cells to Saccharomyces boulardii, reduced CT-induced cAMP by 50 p. 100. This effect disappeared after destruction of the yeast by heating. Results show that the IRD 98 and IEC 17 cells are good models for in vitro investigation of the effects of cholera toxin. Our results suggests that Saccharomyces boulardii prevents the water and electrolyte secretion induced by cholera toxin.