Effects of enteral infusion of nutrients on canine intestinal motor‐patterns

Abstract

AbstractLittle is known on the effects of enteral nutrition on intestinal motor patterns. In dogs, intestinal motility was recorded with multiple extra‐luminal strain‐gauges. An elemental diet was infused into the jejunum (0.5–2.5 kcal min−1) over 6 h. The elemental diet or dog food were also administered orally for comparison. Jejunal infusion of the elemental diet stimulated jejunal motility; the motor pattern was characterized by clustered contractions. During enteral feeding, stimulation of jejunal motility was initially less (lower motility index, lower incidence of contraction waves and shorter spread of contractions) compared with oral feeding. Jejunal motility declined linearly with time, the decline being less profound during enteral than after oral feeding. Linear correlations also existed between motility parameters and energy loads; increasing energy loads produced reduction instead of enhancement of motility. Strong inhibition of motility followed by vomiting occurred with energy loads ≥ 2 kcal min−1. The following conclusions were reached: (a) jejunal feeding evoked different patterns of jejunal motility compared with oral feeding; (b) jejunal motility was the result of both a local stimulation and an inhibitory feedback mechanism; (c) intestinal overload of nutrients was indicated by marked inhibition of motility. These results indicate that recording of motility during enteral nutrition might be a useful diagnostic tool for predicting gastrointestinal sequelae.