Part Of Gastrointestinal Tract Research Articles

Floating Drug Delivery Systems

Management of illness through medication is entering a new era in which growing number of novel drug delivery systems are being employed and are available for therapeutic use. Oral sustained release gastro-retentive dosage forms (GRDFs) offer many advantages for drugs with absorption from upper parts of gastrointestinal tract and for those acting locally in the stomach, improving the bioavailability of the medication. Floating Drug Delivery Systems (FDDS) is one amongst the GRDFs used to achieve prolonged gastric residence time. Multiple unit FDDS avoid “all-or-nothing” gastric emptying nature of single unit systems. Apart from the background, formulation aspects and evaluation of FDDS, recent developments are also covered in this review.

Effects of different levels of dried sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leaves inclusion in finisher ration on feed intake, growth, and carcass yield performance of Ross broiler chicks

The effect of supplementation with increasing levels of dried leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) on feed intake, body weight gain, and carcass yield characteristics of finisher Ross broiler chicks was studied at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. Three hundred Ross broiler chicks aging 29 days and weighing 540 +/- 5.28 g (mean +/- SD) were randomly distributed to 15 pens, each with 20 chicks, representing five treatment rations each with three replications. Dietary treatments consisted of inclusions of dried leaves of sweet potato at levels of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g/kg DM for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days, during which, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency; carcass yield characteristics; and weights and lengths of different parts of gastrointestinal tract were measured. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SAS (1998). Inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato at the level of 200 g/kg DM resulted in lower (P < 0.01) daily DMI as compared to chicks in control diet (T1). The daily body weight gain declined (P < 0.01) when the level of dried leaves of sweet potato in the diet was 150 and 200 g/kg DM. Inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 100 g/kg DM did not affect (P > 0.05) eviscerated carcass weight, and weights of drumstick with thigh and breast meat were not affected (P > 0.05) by inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 150 g/kg DM. The results of this study revealed that inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 100 g/kg DM in the finisher ration might be considered as the optimum level of supplementation when chickens are sold on live weight basis, but if birds are sold on eviscerated carcass weight basis, inclusion up to 150 g/kg DM might be economically feasible as it produced higher carcass yield components.

Formulation and evaluation of gastroretentive drug delivery system of propranolol hydrochloride.

The objective of present study was to develop a gastroretentive drug delivery system of propranolol hydrochloride. The biggest problem in oral drug delivery is low and erratic drug bioavailability. The ability of various polymers to retain the drug when used in different concentrations was investigated. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4 M, HPMC E 15 LV, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC; Klucel HF), xanthan gum, and sodium alginate (Keltose) were evaluated for their gel-forming abilities. One of the disadvantages in using propranolol is extensive first pass metabolism of drug and only 25% reaches systemic circulation. The bioavailability of propranolol increases in presence of food. Also, the absorption of various drugs such as propranolol through P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter is low and erratic. The density of P-gp increases toward the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therefore, it was decided to formulate floating tablet of propranolol so that it remains in the upper part of GIT for longer time. They were evaluated for physical properties, in vitro release as well as in vivo behavior. In preliminary trials, tablets formulated with HPC, sodium alginate, and HPMC E 15 LV failed to produce matrix of required strength, whereas formulation containing xanthan gum showed good drug retaining abilities but floating abilities were found to be poor. Finally, floating tablets were formulated with HPMC K4 M and HPC.

In vivo–in vitro correlation for amoxicillin trihydrate 1000 mg dispersible tablet

Objectives: An in vivo–in vitro correlation (IVIVC) for amoxicillin dispersible tablet was established. Methods: The model of absorption was constructed with type 2 dissolution apparatus and with the use of variable hydrodynamic conditions simulating passage through upper part of gastrointestinal tract. The in vivo test was performed on 24 volunteers. Summary of results: The predicted errors for AUC and Cmax were calculated. Conditions of the in vitro test were discriminative to capsules, which were claimed to have lower bioavailability. The zero-order process of amoxicillin absorption enabled to establish the IVIVC more easily. Overall conclusions: The described model showed features of level A correlation for immediate release dosage form and the zero-order process of amoxicillin absorption is an advantage for establishing IVIVC.

The research on changes in motilin and gastrin levels of premature infants' blood under developing care

Objective To give premature infants developing care and collect the information of the developing care's influence on secretion of motilin and gastrin of premature infants' blood. Methods The newborn patients were divided into the control group and the observation group at random using the random number table. 45 cases in the control group used the premature infants conventional care. 45 cases in the observation group adopted the developing care. We used the radioimmunological analysis (RIA) to determine the changes of motilin (MOT) and gastrin (GAS) of premature infants' blood. Results The values of MOT in the third day were (194.19±54.95)ng/L in the control group and (227.43±85.98)ng/L in the observation group, with P value of 0.032; those in the 10th day were (266.00±71.98) ng/L in the control group and (293.42±2.02) ng/L in the observation group, with P value of 0.041. The differences were significant (P＜0. 05). The values of GAS in the third day were (57.64±18.11)ng/L in the control group and (73.88±35.90)ng/L in the observation group, with P value of 0.009; those in the 10th day were (68.25±23.53)ng/L in the control group and (79.46±24.50)ng/L in the observation group, with P value of 0.029. The differences were significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions The developing care methods can promote the release of gastrointestinal hormone in premature infants' blood, promote the early establishment and further development and mature of digestion functions, and increase the antioxidation function of certain parts of gastrointestinal tract, whereby protecting the intestinal mucosa of new infants to a certain extent. Key words: Premature infants; Developing care; Motilin; Gastrin

5-ALA Mediated Fluorescence Detection of Gastrointestinal Tumors

Delta-aminolevulinic acid/protoporphyrin IX is applied for fluorescent tumor detection in the upper part of gastrointestinal tract. The 5-ALA is administered per os six hours before measurements at dose 20 mg/kg weight. High-power light-emitting diode at 405 nm is used as an excitation source. Special opto-mechanical device is built to use the light guide of standard video-endoscopic system. Through endoscopic instrumental channel a fiber is applied to return information about fluorescence to microspectrometer. In such way, 1D detection and 2D visualization of the lesions' fluorescence are received, and both advantages and limitations of these methodologies are discussed in relation to their clinical applicability. Comparison of the spectra received from normal mucosa, inflammatory, and tumor areas is applied to evaluate the feasibility for development of simple but effective algorithm based on dimensionless ratio of the fluorescence signals at 560 and 635 nm, for differentiation of normal/abnormal gastrointestinal tissues.

Influence of Location and Mitotic Index on Prognosis in Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) arise from the pacemaker, the interstitial Wells of Cajal. These tumors constitute 1 to 3% of gastrointestinal neoplasms, and may occur in each portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The most useful prognostic factors are tumor size, mitotic index, cell structure and location within the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the study was to assess the chosen prognostic factors (location in the gastrointestinal tract and mitotic index) in patients with GIST. Material and methods. Between 1989 and 2002, 74 patients (37 men and 37 women) with an average age of 54.9 years (range from 13 to 89 years) were operated for GIST in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Two- and five-year survival rates during observation were analyzed, as well as the location within the gastrointestinal tract and mitotic index. Based on the intraoperative and postoperative investigations, the tumor size, presence of metastases and histological type of predominant cells were estimated in each patent. Results were subjected to statistics, where p£0.05 was considered to be significant. Results. Of the 74 patients included in the study, 3 patients (4%) had a primary tumor located in the lower oesophagus, 42 patients (56.8%) in the stomach, 4 patients (5.4%) in the duodenum, and 13 patients (17.6%) had tumors originated from the small intestine. In an additional 12 patients (16.2%), the tumor originated from the large intestine. The most frequent (51%) mitotic index was 2, and 9/50 hpf was considered an intermediate malignant potential risk. Two-year survival was common in patients with GIST located in the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum, totalling 34 (79%) patients. A lower than two-year survival rate was noted in patients with GIST arising from the small intestine: 7 (63.6%) patients had tumors arising from the colon and 4 (36.3%) patients had rectal tumors. Five-year survival was also the most frequent in patients with GIST located in the upper part of gastrointestinal tract (37.2%), in the median part of gastrointestinal tract (36.3%), and in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract (27.7%). Correlation between location, mitotic index and survival of patients was assessed. The correlation studies showed a statistically significant influence of tumor location in the gastrointestinal tract (p=0.0264) and mitotic index (p=0.0003) with the survival of patients operated for GIST. Thus, the lower location and higher mitotic index of GIST are associated with shorter survival of patients. Conclusions. The mitotic index and location in the gastrointestinal tract are essential prognostic factors in analyzed patients with GIST. In the analyzed group, the lower locations and higher mitotic indices of GIST were associated with shorter survival of patients.

Synthesis and evaluation of the 5-fluorouracil-pectin conjugate targeted at the colon

This paper describes the first covalent synthesis of a 5-fluorouracil-pectin (FU-PT) conjugate. This conjugate with the potential for colon-targeted delivery has been evaluated. A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for the determination of concentration of 5-FU-1-acetic acid in the gastrointestinal contents and plasma of rats. This method was also used to evaluate the colon-targeting properties of 5-FU-PT. 5-FU-PT was given to rats by oral administration at a dosage of 22.5 mg kg−1. The different parts of gastrointestinal tract and plasma were taken after 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of oral administration of 5-FU-PT to rats, and the concentration of 5-FU-1-acetic acid in gastrointestinal contents and plasma was measured by HPLC. 5-FU-1-acetic acid released from 5-FU-PT was mainly distributed in the cecum and colon. Therefore, the present results suggest that the 5-FU-PT conjugate has a good colon-targeting property.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Monoclonal Antibodies for Crohns Disease: Tipping the Balance

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder which may involve any part of gastrointestinal tract. Chronic inflammation is primarily due to an immunological imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and with a defective apoptosis of lamina propria T cells. Amongst the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) seems to play a central role in pathogenesis of CD. Over the last years, increasing knowledge on the pathogenesis of CD together with progresses in bio-technology have led to the development of a number of biological agents targeting specific molecules involved in gut inflammation, most importantly TNF-alpha and its receptors. The aim of this paper is to critically review the rationale and state-of-the art for the use TNF- alpha inhibitors in the treatment of CD.

P012 CD-68 POSITIVE CELLS IN BUCCAL MUCOSA AS DIAGNOSTIC MARKER FOR IBD

It is well known that Crohn' s disease (CD) may involve any part of gastrointestinal tract, including oral cavity. The aim of this study, was to determine if there are some microbiological and/or pathohistological changes in apparently normal buccal mucosa that can be a reliable marker for differentiating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from healthy population and CD from ulcerative colitis (UC). The presence of microaggregate of CD-68 positive cells (immunostained macrophages) at the section from buccal mucosa was investigated (picture1.) We involved 52 patients with previously clinical and pathohistological diagnosed IBD (30 with CD and 22 patients with UC). The control group was matched for sex and age against IBD patients who were hospitalized for trauma in maxillofacial region and needed surgical approach thru oral cavity. The microaggregates of immunostained macrophages in buccal mucosa were found in 17 patients with CD and in 4 patients with UC (p=0.0121). In controls there were 3 positive for the respective findings (p=0.0241). The counts of bacteria in saliva or in smear of oral cavity were also measured. There was neither statistic difference in Candida albicans positive between IBD patients and controls nor CD vs. UC patients. The microaggregates of macrophages were detected in apparently normal buccal mucosa more frequently in patients with CD than in patients with UC and controls. The finding leads us to conclusion that CD-68 positive cells can be helpful marker that can make difference between CD and UC patients, but further studies are necessary.

Mucoadhesive properties of various pectins on gastrointestinal mucosa: An in vitro evaluation using texture analyzer

Mucoadhesive performance of various pectins with different degrees of esterification and molecular weights was examined with porcine gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, i.e. buccal, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, using a texture analyzer equipped with mucoadhesive platform. The instrumental parameters and test conditions such as pre-hydration time of pectin disc, contact time, contact force, test speed of probe withdrawal, GI tissue and test medium were also studied. Two parameters derived from texture analysis, namely maximum detachment force ( F max) and work of adhesion ( W ad), were used as parameters for comparison of mucoadhesive performance. The results indicated that degree of hydration of pectin disc affected the mucoadhesive properties. The mucoadhesion of pectin increased with the increased contact time and contact force, but not by the increased probe withdrawal speed. Tissue from different parts of GI tract and test medium also influenced the mucoadhesion. Pectins showed a stronger mucoadhesion on large intestinal mucosa than on small intestinal mucosa. The mucoadhesive properties of pectins on gastric mucosa depended on pH of the medium; a higher F max and W ad in a pH 4.8 medium than a pH 1.2 medium was revealed. Additionally, pectin showed a significantly higher mucoadhesion than carbomer934P in most of the GI mucosa tested. The results also demonstrated that the mucoadhesive performance of pectins largely depended on their characteristics, i.e. higher degree of esterification and molecular weight gave a stronger mucoadhesion. These findings suggest that pectin can be used as a mucoadhesive carrier for GI-mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.

Dietary carbohydrates with different rates of fermentation affect fermentation end-product profiles in different sites of gastro-intestinal tract of weaning piglet

AbstractAnin vivoexperiment was conducted to examine changes in fermentation end-products in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of weaning piglets by the inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates in the diet. The experiment was repeated in three replicates of 36 piglets. Piglets were raised free of antibiotics and creep feeding prior to weaning at 4 weeks of age. Each replicate was conducted over a period of 10 days. The piglets were offered one of two dietary treatments: control diet (CON), and fermentable carbohydrate enriched diet (CHO); and were subjected to one of the two fasting treatments (i) fasting for 2 days in the beginning of the experimental period and (ii) non-fasting. Piglets were slaughtered on the 1st, 4th and 10th day of each period. Digesta samples were collected from: first half of small intestine, second half of small intestine, caecum, and colon. The dry matter, volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile, and ammonia concentrations were analysed. Food intake, growth and food conversion ratio were also recorded. There were no differences in production performances such as growth and food conversion ratio (FCR) between the treatment groups. Concentrations of VFA were significantly higher, while ammonia concentration was significantly lower in the CHO group compared to the CON group in different fermentation sites within the GIT (P&lt;0·001), and on different slaughtering days (P&lt;0·05). Fasting had no effect on fermentation end-products. This study concludes that the addition of fermentable carbohydrates of varying fermentabilities stimulated carbohydrate fermentation, with reduction in protein fermentation along the different parts of GIT studied, in weaning piglets.

Effect of inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates in the diet on fermentation end-product profile in feces of weanling piglets1

An in vivo experiment was conducted to monitor the changes in fermentation end products in the feces of weaning piglets due to the inclusion of selected fermentable carbohydrates in the diet. The experiment involved 3 groups of 16 piglets each. Specially raised piglets (neither antibiotics nor creep feeding) were weaned abruptly at 4 wk of age. The piglets were offered 1 of 2 dietary treatments [a control diet (CON), or a fermentable carbohydrate-enriched diet (CHO)] and were subjected to 1 of the 2 fasting treatments (fasting for 2 d at the beginning of the experimental period or nonfasting). Fecal samples were collected per rectum every day during the experimental period. Piglets were slaughtered at the end of the 10-d experimental period, and digesta samples were collected from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT): the first half of the small intestine, the second half of the small intestine, the cecum, and colon. The DM, VFA profile, and ammonia concentrations were analyzed from the fecal and digesta samples. Daily feed intake was also recorded. There was no difference in concentrations of VFA in feces between the treatment groups. Ammonia concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in piglets fed the CHO diet compared with those fed the CON diet in both feces and digesta from different parts of GIT. Fasting had no effect on fermentation end products in feces. This study demonstrated that the inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates in weanling diets reduces protein fermentation along the GIT and also reduced the fecal concentration of ammonia.

Five-year experience with ileal neobladder according to original and modified Hautmann method

Radical cystectomy is the method of treatment of muscle invasive tumor of the urinary bladder, T2-T4a, N0-Nx, M0, which is also performed in patients at high risk of superficial tumors G3, CIS (carcinoma in situ), which are resistant to BCG and diffuse papillary tumors which can not be controlled by conservative treatment. After radical cystectomy, an adequate derivation of the urine is needed, and in the best interest for patient's comfort, is to make a new bladder from the parts of gastrointestinal tract and suture it to the rest of the urethra. In 1988, German surgeon Richard Hautmann published his method of creating a new bladder, for what he used 60cm of ileum. This method is in use at Department of Urology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, but, we introduced our modification of original operation because of early and late postoperative complications. The analysis of early and late complications after derivative surgery of orthotopic ileal bladder according to Hautmann. The patients operated according to original and modified method were analyzed. From 2000-2004, 117 radical cystectomies were performed due to malignant urinary bladder tumors as well as the same number of derivative surgeries at the Clinic for Urology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade. During this five-year period, the orthotopic ileal neobladder surgery according to Hautmann was performed in 41 patients after radical cystectomy. Twenty three patients were operated on using the original method and 18 patients by our modification. Metabolic disorders and problems of high capacity of neobladder were manifested in all patients operated on by original method, while the stenosis of the ureteroileal anastomosis was present in most of these patients. Metabolic disorders were less frequent and of lower degree in patients operated by our modification and there was no stenosis of the ureteroileal anastomosis. The problems with urination were not reported. In our opinion and on the basis of our experience, Hautmann method is the method with fewer complications. However, our modifications are also acceptable because the number of complications is smaller and the value of operation is being kept.

Argon Plasma Coagulation for Treatment of Watermelon Colon

We report a rare case of iron deficiency anemia secondary to sigmoid colon vascular ectasia with endoscopic appearance of watermelon colon. Other than the stomach, watermelon lesions are rare in other parts of gastrointestinal tract. To our knowledge, only seven cases of watermelon colon have been reported, only one of which had sigmoid colon involvement. Associated conditions have included eosinophilia, chronic anemia, protein loosing enetropathy, watermelon stomach, systemic sclerosis and mitral valve disease with supraventricular tachycardia. Chart review and review of available literature using Medline and relevant bibliographies of published articles. Patient was found to have iron deficiency anemia after having presented to his primary care physician with complaints of weakness and fatigue. Colonoscopy was performed which revealed circumferentially arranged reddish stripes in the sigmoid colon, biopsy of which revealed submucosal edema with chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and vascular ectasia. These lesions were treated by Argon Plasma Coagulation (power 45W, flow 1.2 L/min.). Argon Plasma Coagulation was performed again via flexible sigmoidoscopy 4 weeks later. EGD and laboratory screening for autoimmune diseases came back as normal and over the next 4 months, patient's hematocrit improved and remained stable. [figure 1][figure 2] Review of literature has revealed limited data on endoscopic therapy for watermelon colon. However, Argon Plasma Coagulation appears to be appropriate and effective therapy for watermelon colon based on the clinical outcome in our case.FigureFigure

The nutrition after gastrectomy

Aim: We evaluate the results of the reconstruction of the upper part of gastrointestinal tract after total gastrectomy in two groups of the patiens. The reconstruction with creation of “J“ pouch was performed in the first group. The Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed in the second group. Material and method: This trial has a prospective randomized design. 84 patients underwent the total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in the period from February 1999 to December 2004. We compare the group of 43 patients with the reconstruction of the digestive tract with “J“ pouch and the group of 41 with the Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The follow-up is realized at the gastroenterosurgical ambulatory. We have cooperated with radiotherapeutical clinic and with oncological register. The survival is one of the parameters that has been observed. We evaluate nutritional state of patients. We evaluate BMI and biochemical nutritional parameters as follows: total protein, albumin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TAG, transferrin, prealbumin, orosomucoid and cholinesterasis. We evaluate the quality of life using Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GLQI) according to Eypasch. We evaluate the evacuation of the upper part of GI tract after the reconstruction by dynamic scintigraphy using radioisotop 99mTc. Results: BMI in the group with “J“ pouch reconstruction was 87.8% 3 months after surgery in the relation to the BMI value before diagnosis of malignancy and 90.5% 12 months after surgery. BMI was 82.4% 3 months after surgery and 83.7% 12 months after surgery in the group with the Roux-en-Y reconstruction. We compare this results using statistical method of correlation coefficient. The results of this comparison speak in favor of “J“ pouch reconstruction. We evaluate the biochemical parameters, too. For the comparison the Student T-test is used. When evaluating, 3 months after the surgery there was only one difference. There was a lower value of cholesterol in the group with “J“ pouch reconstruction (p=0.05). Other parameters were without statistically significant differences (p=0.05). 12 months after surgery all measured parameters were without statistically significant difference (p=0.05). The evacuation of upper gastrointestinal part after reconstruction measured by dynamic scintigraphy is in the “J“ pouch group 89.4 minutes and in the Roux-en-Y group 16.4 minutes. Conclusion: According to our results, the substitution of the „J“ pouch is an advisable type of surgery for the reconstruction of the digestive tract after total gastrectomy. The nutritional state is better and the quality of life is higher. In the case of necessity of the total gastrectomy, it is important to choose a type of reconstruction, which can meet the requirements of keeping the duodenum in the passage and the substitution of the stomach volume.

An immunohistochemical study of chromogranin A and Sp-1 immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of ovariectomized rats

The changes on the regional distributions and frequencies of two types of chromogranin, chromogranin A (CGA) and bovine Sp-1 chromogranin (BCG)-immunoreactive (IR) cells in gastrointestinal (GI) tract of osteoporotic Sprague-Dawley rat induced by ovariectomy were studied by immunohistochemical methods. The experimental animals were divided into two groups, one is non-ovariectomized group (Sham) and the other is ovariectomized group (OVX). Samples were collected from each part of GI tract at 10th week after ovariectomy or sham operation. CGA-IR cells were restricted to the stomach regions with various frequencies regardless of ovariectomy except for the fundus of OVX in which no cells were detected. In addition, BCG-IR cells were also restricted to the pylorus and duodenum regardless of ovariectomy. A significantly decrease of CGA IR cells was detected in OVX compared to that of Sham in both fundus and pylorus, and BCG-IR cells were also significantly decreased in the duodenum(p < 0.05). However, in the pylorus, BCG-IR cells in OVX showed similar frequency compared to that of Sham. In conclusion, the abnormality in density of chromogranin, a generally used GI endocrine cell marker, detected in this study may contribute to the development of GI symptoms in osteoporosis such as impairments of calcium and some lipids, frequently encountered in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Changes of gastrointestinal argyrophil endocrine cells in the osteoporotic SD rats induced by ovariectomy

The regional distributions and frequencies of argyrophil endocrine cells in gastrointestinal (GI) tract of osteoporotic Sprague-Dawley rat induced by ovariectomy were studied using Grimelius silver stain. The experimental animals were divided into two groups, one is non-ovariectomized group (Sham) and the other is ovariectomized group (OVX). Samples were collected from each part of GI tract (fundus, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) at 10th week after ovariectomy or sham operation. In this study, argyrophil cells were detected throughout the entire GI tract with various frequencies regardless of ovariectomy. Most of these argyrophil cells in the mucosa of GI tract were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open type cell) while cells showing round in shape (close type cell) were found occasionally in gastric and/or intestinal gland regions. The regional distributions of GI argyrophil endocrine cells in OVX were similar to those of Sham. However, significant decreases of argyrophil cells were detected in OVX compared to those of Sham except for the pylorus, jejunum and cecum. In pylorus and jejunum, argyrophil cells in OVX dramatically decreased compared to those of Sham but significances were not recorded. In addition, argyrophil cells in cecum of OVX showed similar frequency compared to that of Sham. The endocrine cells are the anatomical units responsible for the production of gut hormones that regulate gut motility and digestion including absorption, and a change in their density would reflect the change in the capacity of producing these hormones and regulating gut motility and digestion. Ovariectomy induced severe quantitative changes of GI argyrophil endocrine cell density, and the abnormality in density of GI endocrine cells may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms in osteoporosis such as impairments of calcium and some lipids, frequently encountered in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Response of Intestinal Starch Digestion to Duodenal Infusion of Casein

Mendoza, G.D. and Britton, R.A. 2003. Response of intestinal starch digestion to duodenal infusion of casein. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 24: 123–128. To determine the effect of duodenal infusion of intact casein at 0, 20 or 40 g/d level on intestinal starch digestion, fifteen ruminally, duodenally and ileally fistulated sheep were assigned randomly to treatments. Treatments did not affect percent casein digestion in different parts of gastrointestinal tract. Starch digestion in the small intestine, expressed as a percentage of that entering, increased linearly (P<0.09) from 83 to 90 per cent in response to casein infusions. As more starch was digested in the small intestine (percentage of entering), less starch tended to be digested in the large intestine (linear, P<0.14). Intact casein infused into the duodenum increased the digestion of starch entering the small intestine by an unknown mechanism that presumably increased pancreatic amylase enzyme secretion.

Influence of various fiber supplements on quantity of microbial biomass in digestive tract of piglets determined by ATP-luciferase assay

Dietary fibre has positive effects on digestion and on gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Pigs do not possess indigenous enzymes for its digestion. Fibre is fermented by gastrointestinal microflora. The influence of different fibre sources on quantity of microbial biomass in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of weaned piglets was studied in our experiment. First we introduced ATP-luciferase assay with pure E. coli culture, mixture of E. coli and somatic cells and samples from small and large intestine. The proper protocol for preparation of samples from GIT for ATP-luciferase assay was established. Twenty four weaned piglets, divided into four groups, were fed the same feed except the included fibre: carboxymethylcellulose (group CMC), lignified cellulose (group LIG) and pure cellulose (group CEL). The control group received starch instead of fibre (group KON). Piglets were sacrificed after 13 days of feeding and digesta samples were taken from: stomach, proximal part of small intestine, distal part of small intestine, caecum, colon and rectum together. The quantity of microorganisms in different parts of GIT was estimated by ATP-luciferase assay. The highest concentration (conc.) of microbial ATP was found in large intestine in all groups. Statistically significant effect of different fibres on conc. of microbial ATP in different parts of GIT was not demonstrated. The experiment did not provide evidence that the soluble dietary fibre (carboxymethylcellulose) would enable more intensive microbial fermentation in weaned pigs than insoluble fiber. The reason was probably in big variability and nonhomogenity of samples from GIT.