Decrease in net stool output in cholera during intestinal perfusion with glucose-containing solutions.

Glucose-electrolyte solutions were administered to cholera patients by intestinal tube and the effect of this treatment on net stool output was assessed; an ancillary concern was the comparison of the sugar used in the rehydration solution, comparing glucose, galactose, and fructose. All 8 patients studied were cholera victims who had been given intravenous rehydration upon presentation with severe shock; 25 controls were studied for comparison. Average net stool rate of the controls not given perfusions declined at an approximately linear rate throughout the course of diarrhea. However, in every case when glucose was added to perfusion solution, net stool output decreased compared with the decline seen in the total course of non-sugar-containing per fusion studies. In fact, the rate of intestinal fluid loss was decreased with the glucose solution within 12-32 hours of perfusion. Since intestinal sodium absorption was so enhanced by an actively transported sugar, fructose and galactose perfusion fluids were prepared, and it was found that fructose was less well absorbed than glucose or galactose: in general, the results with these sugars were consistent with the sodium-dependent active transport of galactose and the passive transport of fructose, unrelated to sodium transport.