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Short-chain fatty acids do not alter jejunal motility in man

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Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) alter ileal and colonic motility, but their effects on duodenojejunal motility are unknown. Simultaneous jejunal manometric recordings and hydrogen breath tests after lactulose were performed in eight healthy subjects during continuous duodenal infusion of either saline or SCFAs. These experiments were conducted in the fasting state and postprandially. The effects of various boluses of SCFAs on duodenojejunal motility were also determined in six subjects. During the fasting period, the number and characteristics of migrating motor complex, prolonged propagated contractions, discrete clustered contractions, motility indes, and orocecal transit time were similar during saline and SCFAs. Similarly, the motility index and the duration of the postprandial period were not different between SCFAs and saline after the meal. The motility index was significantly increased after each of the 100-ml boluses (saline or SCFAs), but was not altered after the 12.5-ml boluses, suggesting a volume-related effect. Thus, SCFAs do not seem to affect proximal small bowel motility in healthy humans.

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This work was supported in part by a research grant from Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) (CRE 887009), and by Smith Kline and French (Paris, France).

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Masliah, C., Cherbut, C., Bruley des Varannes, S. et al. Short-chain fatty acids do not alter jejunal motility in man. Digest Dis Sci 37, 193–197 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308171

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01308171

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