THE IMPACT OF JEJUNAL TRANSPLANT PERISTALSIS ON ENTERIC FLORA

The importance of phase III of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) for homeostasis of enteric flora is well documented. The goal of this study was to evaluate in an isogeneic rat model the effect of MMC cha nges on the self-purging capacity of the jejunal graft. The proximal 2 5% of the entire jejunoileum of Lewis rats was transplanted orthotopic ally. Electrodes were then fixed to the graft. Native bowel of five ra ts and five rats with analogue jejunal segmentation served as controls . Myoelectric recordings were carried out until day 21, when animals w ere killed for bacteriologic analysis of the segments analyzed myoelec trically and the of neighboring gut. MMCs were observed in all animals during all recordings. Phase III was irregular in transplants because of long-lasting periods of phase III absence alternating with phase I II occurring more frequently. The variation coefficient of phase III p eriodicity calculated for grafts was 48.74, for native bower 14.79, an d for segmented jejunum 22.9. Enteric flora found in all specimens con sisted of colonic-like microorganisms. Titers of microorganisms in gra fts did not differ from control segments, These findings show that pha se III periodicity is severely altered in jejunal grafts. Homeostasis of enteric flora, however, is not influenced by the transplant procedu re. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company