Fat and mesenteric blood flow.
BACKGROUND
The introduction of fat to the duodenum leads to an increase in mesenteric blood flow. The exact mechanism, however, is unknown. In this study we investigate the influence of the terminal carboxy group of the oleic acid molecule on superior mesenteric artery blood flow.


METHODS
In six healthy male volunteers duplex ultrasound was used to evaluate the effects of duodenal perfusion of 48 mmol oleic acid and 48 mmol oleyl alcohol on superior mesenteric artery blood flow variables and diameter.


RESULTS
The blood flow variables time-average velocity and maximal diastolic velocity increased significantly, and the resistance index decreased significantly during perfusion with oleic acid, but during oleyl alcohol perfusion no changes were found. No significant changes in vessel diameter were observed at any time.


CONCLUSIONS
The carboxy group of the oleic acid molecule has an important role in the duodenum in mediating the postprandial increase in superior mesenteric artery blood flow.
Andersen
T C
TC
Dept of Surgery, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.
Pedersen
J F
JF
Nordentoft
T
T
Olsen
O
O
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004386:Duodenum; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010477:Perfusion; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; C010268:oleyl alcohol; D019301:Oleic Acid