Rats and mice were given antibiotics orally and by subcutaneous injection and the effects on tissue levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine and intestinal bacteria were studied. In mice it was found that antibiotics which caused a large reduction in the bacterial flora of the intestine when given orally also caused a significant increase in intestinal 5-hydroxytryptamine. In rats, neomycin caused a reduction in the urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. In both rats and mice, many antibiotics caused a significant reduction in the weight of the spleen.
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