Gastric emptying of liquids and postprandial pancreatobiliary secretion are temporarily impaired during endotoxemia

The aims of our study were to determine mechanisms by which pancreatobiliar y secretion is altered during endotoxemia. Dogs underwent placement of duod enal perfusion and aspiration catheters and antral manometry catheters. Gas tric emptying of liquids, antral motility, output of bile acids and amylase , and serum levels of enteric hormones were determined after ingestion of a 360-kcal mixed-nutrient liquid meal. Each dog was then given a single dose of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (200 mu g/kg, intravenously) and the studies repeated for the next three days. Endotoxin slowed gastric emptying of liq uids and decreased amylase output for two days. Bile acid output was decrea sed on postendotoxin day 1. Pancreatic polypeptide alone was decreased on p ostendotoxin day 1. We conclude that the decrease in pancreatobiliary outpu t is probably due to decreased nutrient flow into the duodenum and not due to decreased production of hormones that influence pancreatobiliary secreti on. The delayed gastric emptying, decreased pancreatobiIiary output, and de creased postprandial levels of pancreatic polypeptide suggest diminished va gal output as a possible explanation for the effects of endotoxin on upper gut function.