COLCHICINE INDUCES ENHANCED INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY IN THE RAT

Intestinal permeability was determined in rats receiving colchicine 0.5 +/- 0.15 mg day(-1) in drinking water (30 mg L(-1)) for periods up to 23 days. The lactulose/mannitol method was used to determine whole gut permeability before and on days 2, 4, 8, 18 and 23 of colchicine administration. The 8-h urinary lactulose excretion following the test meal increased significantly in rats receiving colchicine, compared with the pretreatment value. Increased lactulose permeability was present after 2 days and remained stable throughout the experimental period. Mannitol urinary excretion was not changed. Colchicine increases intestinal tight junction permeability by an as yet undetermined mechanism.