DECREASED GASTRIC-EMPTYING AND GASTROINTESTINAL AND INTESTINAL TRANSITS OF LIQUID AFTER COMPLETE SPINAL-CORD TRANSECTION IN AWAKE RATS

We studied the effect of complete spinal cord transection (SCT) on gas tric emptying (GE) and on gastrointestinal (GI) and intestinal transit s of liquid in an alte rats using the phenol I ed method. Mali Wistar rats (N = 65) weighing 180-200 g were fasted for 24 h and complete SCT a as performed between C-7 and T-1 vertebrae after a careful midline dorsal incision. GE and GI and intestinal transits were measured 15 mi n. 6 h or 24 h after recovery from anesthesia. A test meal (0.5 mg/ml phenol red in 5% glucose solution) nas administered intragastrically ( 1.5 mi) and the animals were sacrificed by an iv thiopental overdose 1 0 min later to evaluate GE and GI transit. For intestinal transit meas urements, 1 mi of the test meal was administered into the proximal duo denum through a cannula inserted into a gastric fistula. GE was inhibi ted (P<0.05) by 34.3, 23.4 and 22.7%, respectively, at 15 min, 6 h and 24 h after SCT. GI transit nas inhibited (P<0.05) by 42.5, 19.8 and 1 8.4%, respectively, at 15 min, 6 h and 24 h after SCT. Intestinal tran sit was also inhibited (P<0.05) by 48.8, 47.2 and 40.1%, respectively, at 15 min. 6 h and 24 h after SCT. Mean arterial pressure was signifi cantly decreased (P<0.05) by 48.5, 46.8 and 41.5%, respectively, at 15 min, 6 h and 24 h after SCT. In summary, our report describes a decre ased GE and GI and intestinal transits in awake rats within the first 24 h after high SCT.