The effect of intestinal transit time on bacterial translocation

Increase in intraluminal bacterial count, disruption of the mucosal integri ty, changes in intestinal immunity and transit time are the factors involve d in bacterial translocation. The relationship between intestinal transit t ime, intra luminal bacterial count and translocation rate were investigated in 40 Wistar-albino rats. The study was conducted in 4 groups with 10 anim als in each. Group I (controls) : saline + laboratory chow, Group II : sali ne + oral total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution, Group III: morphine su lfate (MS) + oral TPN solution, Group IV: neostigmine bromide (NB) + oral T PN solution. Intestinal transit time was measured by using Indium(111)-labeled diethylen e triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). It was prolonged in the MS-treated grou p and shortened in the NB-treated group (p < 0.01). The frequency of bacter ial translocation was 60% in the oral TPN solution group, 100% in the MS-tr eated group, 20% in the NB-treated group and 10% in controls. Bacterial cou nts in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the MS-treated group and decreased (p < 0.05) in the NB-treated group in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, the prolongatio n of intestinal transit time increased the intraluminal bacterial count and augmented bacterial translocation. The decrease in intestinal transit time had a converse effect.