Effects of ethanol, xylose and glucose on canine jejunal
motility.
Charles, F., S. F. Phillips.
Gastroenterology Research Unit, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation,
Rochester, MN 55905, Current address: Hopital De I'Archet,
Gastroenterologie, Nice, France
APStracts 2:0067G, 1995.
Ethanol is an important source of calories that can cause certain
gastrointestinal symptoms, notably diarrhea. To examine ethanol's
effects on the small bowel, we perfused the jejunum of four dogs
(intraluminal, IL) with ethanol (E, wt/vol, 18%, 9%, 4.5%, 1.5%), d
-xylose (X, 30%, 15%, 7.5%, 4.5%) or glucose (G, 30%, 5%). In other
experiments, these solutes were infused intravenously (IV). Saline
was always given by the alternate route; jejunal manometry was
recorded during and after the infusions. Phase III of the
interdigestive cycle was delayed by all IL infusions except for
E4.5%, E1.5%, X4.5%, and G5%; in addition, the onset of irregular
contractile activity (ICA) was delayed more with IL-E than with IL-X
or IL-G (p<0.01). When administered IL, E and X appeared in blood
but only E equilibrated fully between the lumen and blood.
Intravenous infusions of E and X, but not of G also delayed the
return of phase III. When given IV, E and X were recovered from the
lumen, whereas glucose never was. Ethanol and d-xylose had comparable
effects on the canine small bowel; they induced prolonged periods of
ICA, and delayed the return of phase III. These effects were seen
rapidly when solutes were administered IL, and more slowly when they
were given IV. These results suggest that local luminal mechanisms
stimulated by solutes influence small bowel motility, and they imply
that the gut recognizes solutes whether or not these molecules are
metabolizable.
Received 22 July 1994; accepted in final form 6 April 1995.
APS Manuscript Number G275-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 25 April 1995.