Intestinal Tone Research Articles

Observations on small intestinal hypomotility and states of hypertonicity arising from functional bases

Data are presented on x-ray evidence of small intestinal hypomotility noted in twenty-seven patients. The delay was not considered to be the result of organic intestinal or peri-intestinal disease. Evidence is presented to indicate that the delay was the result of functional states, which reduced small intestinal motility or altered small intestinal tone or both.

Changes in intestinal tone and motility associated with nausea and vomiting

The Journal of PhysiologyVolume 105, Issue 1 p. 58-65 ArticleFree Access Changes in intestinal tone and motility associated with nausea and vomiting R. A. Gregory, R. A. GregorySearch for more papers by this author R. A. Gregory, R. A. GregorySearch for more papers by this author First published: 15 July 1946 https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1946.sp004152Citations: 20AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume105, Issue1July 15, 1946Pages 58-65 RelatedInformation

The effects of morphine, diacetylmorphine and some related alkaloids upon the alimentary tract: Part III. Caecum and colon

1. The effects of morphine, heroin, codeine, dilaudid, dicodid and eukadol upon the caecum and colon are described.2. Small quantities of morphine produce a rapid increase in tone and amplitude of movements lasting many hours. Large doses result in a spastic contraction of the intestine with diminution of peristaltic movements.3. The effects of heroin closely resemble those of morphine; it usually produces a greater increase in tone than morphine but the movements are not so great. Heroin is about 30% more active than morphine.4. Codeine appears to be the weakest member of the series. It causes a slight increase in tone and peristaltic movements which never last very long.5. Dilaudid produces effects which closely resemble those of morphine and heroin but it is approximately 7.5 times more potent than morphine. Intestinal tone is increased at first but may be subnormal at the 3 or 4 hr. stage. The maximum amplitude of peristaltic movements is seen at the 3 hr. stage.6. Dicodid increases the tone, and particularly the peristaltic movements. The effects upon the general tone are moderate, much less than those of morphine, heroin or dilaudid. The increase in the amplitude of the movements is, however, much greater than with any other of the drugs. It differs from the others in producing its effects only after a long latent interval of 1–2 hr.7. Eukadol increases the peristaltic movements in a marked way and is more active in this respect than either morphine or heroin, but is inferior to dicodid. Its effects upon tone are very transient and never very marked.8. The effects of all these drugs upon the tone and peristaltic movements are at once abolished by adrenalin or atropine. Except morphine and eukadol, these drugs failed to produce their effects when administered after full doses of atropine.9. The injection of hypophysin during the phase of increased muscular activity following the injection of these drugs, always causes an immediate abolition or diminution of the peristaltic movements and loss of tone to a subnormal level. There is however a rapid recovery from this state and approximately 5–10 min. later the movements are increased to an amplitude far in excess of that seen perior to the injection of hypophysin.

The action of histidine on the gastro-lntestinal tract

The effect of intramuscular histidine on gastric secretion was studied in dogs with accessory stomachs and in gastrostomized preparations. In vitro experiments were performed to determine the action of this amino acid on intestinal tone and motility. Histidine did not decrease the volume or acidity of gastric secretory response to either food or histamine stimulation. In two of three pouch dogs and in one of two gastrostomized dogs there occurred a prolonged and increased secretory response coincident with histidine administration. In organ baths, histidine in physiological concentrations had no effect on the tone or motility of segments of small intestine. The data presented in the above experiments offer no support for the therapeutic claims made for histidine in the treatment of peptic ulcer in man.

V. The effects of drugs on the motility of isolated segments of the intestine of man

1. These experiments would compel the conclusions that pituitrin alone is a constant motor stimulant of the large and the small intestine of man. It increases motility without effect on intestinal tonus. Its action is rapid and powerful.

Effect of Cyclopropane on Isolated Intestinal Muscle

It has been shown that the in vitro effects of ether and ethylene on isolated intestinal muscle agree substantially with experimental evidence in vivo and with clinical observations that ether causes marked loss of intestinal tone and contractility while ethylene does not. It was also shown that divinyl oxide, possessing a chemical structure combining characteristic features of both, is more like ethylene than ether in this respect as in other physiological actions. No reports so far seem to have been made regarding the effect of cyclopropane on intestinal muscle, although Waters and Schmidt found slightly less post-operative intestinal distension after abdominal surgery with cyclopropane than with ether. Segments of intestinal muscle about 2 cm. in length from the jejunum of a newly killed rabbit were suspended by the Magnus method from a muscle lever, in oxygenated Locke's solution at 37.5°C. Cyclopropane in concentrations in oxygen employed clinically was bubbled through the solution in such a way as to bring it in equilibrium with the gaseous mixture as quickly as possible. Thirty segments from 6 rabbits were tested for reactivity with acetylcholine and epinephrine in appropriate concentrations and washed carefully before applying the cyclopropane. In each case after bubbling into the bath concentrations of 101% to 25% cyclopropane in oxygen there was an increase in tone of the intestinal muscle with a decrease in amplitude of contraction (Figs. 1 and 2). Upon washing the cyclopropane from the bath there was a gradual return of the segment to its normal activity. The degree of gut stimulation was found to be roughly proportional to the concentration of cyclopropane up to 25% in oxygen at which maximum effect seemed to be obtained.

The concept of pyloric balance in ileus: Treated by continuous suction from the stomach

1. 1. Ileus following abdominal operations is in our experience almost always due to peritonitis. 2. 2. Tonus is of much greater importance than peristalsis in determining the ability of the gut to recover in ileus. The ability of the obstructed intestine to empty its contents into the stomach is an indication that it retains its tonus, even after peristalsis has disappeared. 3. 3. A simplified apparatus for maintaining continuous positive suction from the stomach contents is presented; its use and the necessary calculations are explained. 4. 4. A concept of “pyloric balance,” expressing the direction of the predominating current of fluid through the pyloric ring, is introduced. This is essentially an expression of the sum of two varying factors: intestinal tonus and degree of obstruction. 5. 5. Quantitative measurement of a negative pyloric balance and its conversion into a positive balance are attained most quickly and most certainly by the employment of continuous positive suction alone or in conjunction with enterostomy (the additional use of “replacement therapy” is taken for granted). 6. 6. The data on 3 illustrative cases are presented in detail. 7. 7. Increasing experience with this method of treatment indicates that there is a large group of patients with intestinal obstruction in which the risk of death is far less if decompression of the bowel is brought about by continuous suction of the stomach than if operation is performed within more than a very few hours of onset.

Action of Morphine on the Intestine in Peritonitis.

For many years the administration of morphine in peritonitis has been advocated by many surgical authorities. It has been advocated not only for the relief of pain and distress, but for the purpose of putting the intestine at rest in order to restrict or prevent the spreading of the infection that intestinal motility might produce. The well established observation that morphine tends to produce constipation was interpreted to mean that morphine did stop intestinal motility.Plant and Miller1 reported observations that both in the dog and man, morphine produces an increase in intestinal tone and an increased frequency of contractions, contradicting the current conception that morphine decreases intestinal activity.Because of the relatively established position of the use of morphine in the treatment of peritonitis it was of interest to determine if the existence of a peritonitis modified the type of response to the usual therapeutic doses.Peritonitis was produced in 10 dogs by the injection of fecal emulsio...

Influence of Morphine on Intestinal Activity in Experimental Obstruction.

ConclusionsMorphine increases the intestinal tone and peristaltic activity of the obstructed intestine of the dog. Loud intestinal borborygmi which may be heard with the stethoscope early in intestinal obstruction are not silenced by the administration of morphine.