Absorption of simple nutrients from the in vivo neurally isolated canine jejunum and ileum.

BACKGROUND

The effects of intestinal transplantation on enteric absorptive function are not well understood. Our aim was to determine the effects of in situ isolation of the jejunoileum, a large animal model of jejunoileal autotransplantation, on absorption of simple nutrients from the jejunum and ileum separately.

METHODS

Four groups of dogs were prepared with modified Thiry-Vella loops: group 1, neurally intact jejunum; group 2, neurally isolated jejunum; group 3, neurally intact ileum; and group 4, neurally isolated ileum. Intestinal loops were perfused with five different isosmolar solutions of NaCl alone, 30 mmol/L glucose, 2.5 mmol/L glycine, 2.5 mmol/L phenylalanine, and 5 mmol/L oleic acid at 1 to 2 weeks and 8 to 9 weeks after operation.

RESULTS

Net absorption of water and electrolytes, glucose, glycine, phenylalanine, and oleic acid were not different statistically between neurally intact and neurally isolated intestinal loops at either time point. Ileal loops absorbed more than jejunal loops.

CONCLUSIONS

Absorption of simple nutrients from the canine jejunum and ileum is not altered by this model of intestinal autotransplantation. These observations suggest that the extrinsic denervation that accompanies intestinal transplantation does not affect the transport systems for glucose, glycine, phenylalanine, or oleic acid.