GASTROINTESTINAL MYOELECTRIC ACTIVITY DURING ENDOTOXEMIA

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal myoelectric activity during postoperative ileus has been well characterized, However, the common clinical scena rio of ileus occurring during and after episodes of sepsis is not well understood. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of a si ngle, sublethal dose of endotoxin on canine gastrointestinal myoelectr ic activity. METHODS: Eight dogs underwent placement of serosal electr odes on the stomach and small intestine and insertion of a jejunal can nula, After the animals recovered, electrical activity and jejunal muc osal blood flow were determined during fasting and with feeding. Follo wing completion of these baseline studies dogs were given a single, su blethal dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (200 g/kg) intrave nously, and the studies were repeated daily for 3 consecutive days. RE SULTS: Endotoxin resulted in an absence of the interdigestive migratin g myoelectric complex for 2 days, a decrease in duodenal and jejunal a ction potentials during fasting and with feeding, but no decreases in jejunal mucosal blood flow, The gastrointestinal myoelectrical pattern s returned to those found in health on postendotoxin day 3. CONCLUSION S: A single, sublethal dose of endotoxin results in a temporary disrup tion of gastrointestinal myoelectric activity similar to that seen dur ing postoperative ileus, The etiology of this ''adynamic'' ileus is un known but does not appear to be secondary to intestinal ischemia.