12 Effects of synchronized intestinal electrical stimulation on small intestinal motility in dogs

Abstract

Our previous studies showed that synchronized gastric electrical stimulation enhanced antral contractions, accelerated gastric emptying in dogs. It has never been reported whether synchronized electrical stimulation could improve small intestinal motility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of synchronized intestinal electrical stimulation (SIES) on small bowel motility in both fasting and fed states in dogs.Methods: Five healthy female dogs (18–24 kg) were equipped with a duodenal cannula for the measurement of small bowel motility using manometry. Two pairs of bipolar electrodes were implanted on the small intestinal serosa with an interval of 25 cm; the first one was 10 cm beyond the pylorus and used for stimulation. The experiment was consisted of four sessions in each dog with a randomized order. In the fasting state, 20 min after occurrence of phase III, SIES was initiated and maintained for 45 min, small bowel motility was recorded during the entire experiment, and no stimulation was performed in the control session. In other two sessions, dogs were fed with solid meal at the beginning of the experiment; glucagon (0.1 mg kg­1) was injected 20 min after feeding, SIES was initiated at the same time for 20 min followed by 20 min recovery period. The stimulus was composed of train of pulses with on‐time of 0.5 s, frequency of 20 Hz, pulse width of 2 ms and amplitude of 4 mA.Results: 1). In the fasting state, SIES induced small intestinal contractions during phase I. The motility index was 5.2 ± 0.6 in the control session and significantly increased to 10.3 ± 0.7 with SIES (P = 0.003). 2). In the fed state, glucagon substantially and significantly inhibited small intestinal motility. The motility index was 11.3 ± 0.7 after feeding and reduced to 3.4 ± 0.5 with glucagon injection (P < 0.001). SIES significantly enhanced glucagon‐induced small intestinal postprandial hypomotility. The motility index was 3.4 ± 0.5 in the control session and increased to 6.0 ± 0.3 with the presence of SIES (P = 0.03).Conclusions: Intestinal electrical stimulation synchronized with intestinal slow waves induces intestinal contractions during phase I and enhanced small intestinal postprandial hypomotility induced by glucagon. SIES may have the therapeutic potential for treating small intestinal motility disorders. (Supported by a grant from American Diabetes Association).