[Effect of casein on the temporo-spatial organization++ of the contractile activity of the small intestine in the dog].

Some observations in man and experimental animals have demonstrated that casein decreases intestinal transit speed. However, its effects on intestinal motility have not been studied previously in a systematic fashion. The aim of this work was to study the temporospatial distribution of small bowel motility before and after the administration of calcium caseinate. Studies were performed in fasting dogs using 6 catheters perfused with a pneumo-hydraulic system. After the administration of 300 ml of a 10% solution of calcium caseinate, a global decrease in motor activity was observed, specially of grouped propulsive contractions, they were reduced in 64.9 to 19.5%. On the contrary, a significative increase, in 1.4 to 22%, of individual wave, non propulsive motor activity was observed. These quantitative changes in contractions, specially in their organization and temporo-spatial distribution, may be responsible for the decrease in intestinal transit after the administration of casein.