Influence of enteral nutrition-induced splanchnic hyperemia on the septic origin of splanchnic ischemia.

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether enteral nutrition-induced postprandial intestinal hyperemia has a beneficial effect on the splanchnic ischemia due to sepsis. Fourteen dogs, after exposure to Escherichia coli endotoxin via portal vein administration were grouped according to whether they were fed enterally via a jejunostomy or given a placebo. Systemic hemodynamics; portal vein, hepatic, and superior mesenteric artery blood flow; hepatic and intestinal microcirculation; hepatic tissue PO2; intestinal pHi; and hepatic energy charge were assessed before, during, and after endotoxin infusion as well as during and after enteral or placebo feeding. All splanchnic hemodynamic parameters revealed a statistically significant decline (p = 0.001) during the endotoxin shock period relative to the baseline. After enteral feeding all parameters exhibited a statistically significant increase (p = 0.001) relative to the placebo group. The results of this study led us to suggest that enteral nutrition reverses the lipopolysaccharide infusion-induced splanchnic ischemia.