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. 2001 May;48(5):690–695. doi: 10.1136/gut.48.5.690

Modification of small bowel mechanosensitivity by intestinal fat

A Accarino 1, F Azpiroz 1, J Malagelada 1
PMCID: PMC1728270  PMID: 11302970

Abstract

BACKGROUND—Lipids may exacerbate symptoms induced by gut stimuli.
AIM—To determine the mechanism whereby fat exerts this effect.
SUBJECTS—Twenty four healthy subjects were studied during fasting.
METHODS—We measured perception (0-6 scale) in response to jejunal balloon distension and transmucosal electrical nerve stimulation; phasic stimuli (one minute) were randomly applied at five minute intervals during intestinal infusion (2 ml/min) of saline and then Intralipid 2 kcal/min (high fat; n=8 subjects), Intralipid 0.5 kcal/min (low fat; n=8), or saline (n=8).
RESULTS—Intestinal lipids increased the perception of jejunal distension regardless of concentration (by 53% with high fat, 49% with low fat, and 17% with saline; p<0.05 for both fat loads). This effect could not be attributed to changes in intestinal compliance as intraballoon pressures remained unchanged during lipid infusion (2% change; NS). Sensitisation induced by lipids seemed to be specifically related to intestinal mechanoreceptors because electrical stimulation, which non-specifically activates gut afferents, was perceived equally during saline and lipid administration (10%, 11%, and 15% change during high fat, low fat, and saline, respectively; NS).
CONCLUSION—Physiological amounts of lipids heighten intestinal sensitivity by modulating intestinal mechanoreceptor response.


Keywords: intestinal sensitivity; intestinal distension; intestinal electrical nerve stimulation; intestinal afferents; abdominal symptoms

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Diagrammatic representation of the probe used. The probe incorporated a perfusion port, a bipolar electrode for electrical stimulation, and an inflatable balloon. Electrical stimuli and distensions (one minute duration) were randomly tested (at five minute intervals) during infusion of either saline, low fat, or high fat while measuring intraballoon pressures and perception on a 0-6 scale.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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Perception of intestinal distension. Intestinal fat infusion significantly increased perception (*p<0.05). Data for the three highest stimuli tested in each subject during both saline and high fat infusion are shown.

Figure 3  .

Figure 3  

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Intestinal compliance. Intestinal fat infusion did not induce any change in intestinal compliance that could explain increased perception of distension. Data for the three highest stimuli tested in each subject during both saline and high fat infusions are shown.

Figure 4  .

Figure 4  

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Perception of intestinal electrical nerve stimulation. Intestinal infusion had no effect on perception of transmucosal electrical nerve stimulation. Data for the four highest stimuli tested in each subject during both saline and high fat infusions are shown.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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