Effect of infusion of a diarrheogenic dose of PGE2 on gastrointestinal electrical activity in the conscious piglet.

In 5 conscious piglets with electrodes implanted on the antrum pylori and small intestine, phasic and integrated electrical activity was daily recorded. PGE2, 10 micrograms/kg/min, was infused intravenously during 1.5 h and the induced changes in electrical activity were analyzed. Clinical appearance was also studied. PGE2 induced an inhibition in both antral and intestinal activity. In the antrum this inhibition was characterized by a decrease in the frequency of electrical control activity and fast oscillations, and an increase in the duration of the inhibitory phase. Small intestinal recordings revealed an increase in the quiescence phase for the duodenum and a decrease in the integrated total activity for the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, induced by a decrease in phase II activity. PGE2 was without influence on phase III activity and the recycling of the migrating myoelectrical complexes. All piglets developed a severe diarrhea. Vomiting, sedation, fever and shivering were observed in most animals. These data suggest that the diarrheogenic effect of PGE2 is not provoked by an increase in small intestinal motility. Moreover, the direct effect of this PG is a partial inhibition of gastrointestinal electrical activity.