Editing Enterotoxin (section)

== Clinical significance ==

Enterotoxins have a particularly marked effect upon the [[gastrointestinal tract]], causing [[traveler's diarrhea]] and food poisoning. The action of enterotoxins leads to increased [[chloride ion]] permeability of the [[apical membrane]] of intestinal mucosal cells. These membrane pores are activated either by increased [[Cyclic adenosine monophosphate|cAMP]] or by increased calcium ion concentration intracellularly. The pore formation has a direct effect on the [[osmolarity]] of the [[lumen (anatomy)|luminal]] contents of the intestines. Increased chloride permeability leads to leakage into the lumen followed by sodium and water movement. This leads to a [[secretory diarrhea]] within a few hours of ingesting enterotoxin. Several microbial organisms contain the necessary enterotoxin to create such an effect, such as ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''E. coli''.<ref name=Hornby/>

The drug [[linaclotide]], used to treat some forms of constipation, is based on the mechanism of enterotoxins.<ref name=Hornby>{{cite journal|last1=Hornby|first1=PJ|title=Drug discovery approaches to irritable bowel syndrome.|journal=Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery|date=2015|volume=10|issue=8|pages=809–24|doi=10.1517/17460441.2015.1049528|pmid=26193876|s2cid=207494271}}</ref>