Segmentation induced by intraluminal fatty acid in isolated guinea-pig duodenum and jejunum

Abstract

Small intestinal movements depend on the composition of the chyme with mixing predominating at high nutrient levels and propulsion being prevalent at low nutrient levels. The mechanisms coupling nutrients to motility are unknown. We used computer analysis of video recordings of isolated guinea-pig duodenum, jejunum and ileum to examine movements induced by a fatty acid, decanoic acid. Increasing intraluminal pressure past a threshold using control saline consistently evoked propulsive reflexes: lumen-occluding constrictions appeared at the oral end propagating at 20.4 ± 2.4 mm s-1 (mean ± S.D., jejunum) to the anal end before being repeated until the intraluminal pressure was returned to con..