| Abstract
| - Angiotensin II (ANG II) has been described in the regulation of intestinal secretion and absorption via angiotensin subtype 1 (AT1) and AT2 receptors, respectively, in rats. We investigated the role that ANG II plays in the rabbit ileal-loop model of Clostridium difficile infection. Expression of AT1, the more abundant ANG II receptor, was demonstrated in ileal loops, and an AT1 receptor blocker, losartan, inhibited hypersecretion induced by C. difficile toxin A (mean volume&rcolon;length ratio, 0.27±0.06 vs. 0.60±0.06 mL/cm in controls). Losartan also decreased production of ANG II in the ileum (0.48±0.06 vs. 0.87±0.12 pg/mg in controls), raising the possibility that ANG II may participate in a positive feedback loop involving the hypersecretory response. Our findings suggest that ANG II plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of C. difficile toxin-induced diarrhea.
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