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The physiologic significance of intraluminal pressure changes in relation to propulsion and absorption in the human jejunum

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Summary

For a study of the effect of motility on the propulsion and absorption of the luminal contents in a 25-cm. segment of human jejunum, a method was devised that allowed simultaneous recording of intraluminal pressure changes, determination of transit time by indicator-dilution technics, and assessment of the absorption of glucose and xylose under basal conditions.

The motility of the segment of jejunum under study influenced the speed of propulsion of the intraluminal contents. The motility and the transit time were not influenced by the presence of a constant infusion of an isotonic solution at 37° C and a rate of 10 ml./min. Increased motility per minute resulted in shorter transit times.

More physiologically significant than the quantitative values were the patterns of motility. The caudad propagation of waves and the extent of the propagation—regardless of wave type—produced shortening of the transit time. The shortest transit times were obtained in experiments during which caudad propagation of motility involved the entire segment under study. Glucose was almost completely absorbed by the time it reached the sampling point. A significant correlation was observed between the values of xylose absorption and transit time, suggesting that longer exposure to the intestinal mucosa increases xylose absorption.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada

    M. A. Barreiro M.D., M.Sc., R. D. McKenna M.D. (F.R.C.P. (C) & I. T. Beck M.D., Ph.D. (F.R.C.P. (C)

  2. Medical Research and Development, Cyanamid International American Cyanamid Company, 10965, Pearl River, N. Y.

    M. A. Barreiro M.D., M.Sc., R. D. McKenna M.D. (F.R.C.P. (C) & I. T. Beck M.D., Ph.D. (F.R.C.P. (C)

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  1. M. A. Barreiro M.D., M.Sc.
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  2. R. D. McKenna M.D.
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  3. I. T. Beck M.D., Ph.D.
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Additional information

Supported in part by Grant MA-1890 from the Medical Research Council of Canada, and by the Donner Canadian Foundation.

The authors thank Dr. M. Stephens, Department of Mathematics, McGill University, for his contribution in the development of the methods, and Miss D. Dannacker for her technical assistance.

The work reported here formed part of the M.Sc. thesis of M. A. Barreiro (McGill University, 1966).

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Barreiro, M.A., McKenna, R.D. & Beck, I.T. The physiologic significance of intraluminal pressure changes in relation to propulsion and absorption in the human jejunum. Digest Dis Sci 13, 234–251 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236598

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