Study of the effect of ileal distension on the motor activity of the jejunum, and of jejunal distension on the motor activity of the ileum.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of ileal distension on the jejunal motor activity and ofjejunal distension on the ileal motility have been poorly addressed in the literature. We investigated the hypothesis that distension of either ileum or jejunum would affect the motile activity of the other.


METHODS
Response of jejunal pressure to ileal balloon distension and of ileal pressure to jejunal distension in increments of 2 mL of normal saline were recorded in 18 dogs. The test was performed after individual local anesthetization of the ileum and jejunum and was repeated using saline instead of lidocaine.


RESULTS
Ileal distension with 2, 4, and 6mL of saline produced no jejunal pressure response (p >0.05), while 8- and up to 12-mL distension effected jejunal pressure decrease (p<0.05). Jejunal distension up to 6mL did not change ileal pressure (p>0.05); distension with 8, 10, and 12 mL reduced it (p<0.05). Jejunal or ileal pressure responses were maintained as long as ileal or jejunal distension was continued. Distension of the anesthetized ileum or jejunum did not produce significant pressure changes in either.


CONCLUSIONS
Jejunal or ileal pressure decrease and presumably hypotonia upon large-volume ileal or jejunal, respectively, distension postulate reflex relationship which we call 'ileal-jejunal and jejuno-ileal inhibitory reflex'. These reflexes appear to regulate chyme flow in small intestine by creating a balance of chyme delivery between the jejunum and ileum. Reflex derangement in neurogenic and myogenic diseases may result in gastrointestinal disorders, a point that needs to be investigated.
Shafik
Ahmed
A
Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. shafik@ahmedshafik.com
Shafik
Ali A
AA
El
Sibai Olfat
SO
Shafik
Ismail A
IA
D000818:Animals; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D007082:Ileum / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation; D011312:Pressure; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*