abstract
- Auranofin, the orally effective gold compound, stimulated the canine colonic epithelium in vitro. It increased short circuit currents across both the innervated mucosal and functionally "nerve-free" epithelial preparation, when added to either the luminal or serosal solutions. Serosal responses were inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX). A hydrophilic gold compound, sodium aurothiosulphate produced similar effects but only on serosal addition. Gold compounds can thus alter colonic transport activating enteric nerves and releasing a neurotransmitter. Thus gold induced diarrhea could have a significant neural component.