title: Interdigestive myoelectric complex in germ-free rats.
abstract: The effect of intestinal bacteria on the interdigestive myoelectric complex (IDMEC) was studied by recordings of the electrical activity of the proximal and distal small bowel in fasting germ-free (n = 6), gnotobiotic (n = 7), and conventional (n = 6) rats in vivo. Germ-free and gnotobiotic rats were operated and studied in germ-free or gnotobiotic conditions. The IDMEC period (mean +/- SD) in the proximal and distal small bowel was significantly longer in germ-free rats (20 +/- 2 min and 102 +/- 14 min) as compared to conventional rats (13 +/- 1 min and 58 +/- 5 min). Association of germ-free rats with a limited flora (gnotobiotic rats) decreased the IDMEC period significantly (15 +/- 1.5 min and 75 +/- 14 min). The migration velocity of the IDMEC was inversely related to the IDMEC period. These observations confirm previous data suggesting that the interdigestive motor complex has a role in the homeostasis of the bacterial content of the small bowel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Rega Institute, University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caenepeel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vantrappen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eyssen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coremans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria; D004063:Digestion; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007082:Ileum / Q000502:physiology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats