Does the site of intestinal delivery of oleic acid alter the ileal brake response?

Previous work has demonstrated that high doses of oleic acid can activate t he ileal brake but the importance of site of delivery has yet to be investi gated. The objective of this study was to use modified release capsules to release oleic acid in different regions of the intestine. When tested by in vitro dissolution in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer, one batch released the conte nts almost immediately, another after around 30 min and the last batch afte r around 60-70 min. The effect of oleic acid release site on the ileal brak e was assessed by the measurement of transit time of radiolabelled non disi ntegrating tablets by gamma scintigraphy. The results demonstrated that the transit of tablets could be slowed down by oleic acid and therefore it app ears the ileal brake can be activated along the entirety of the small intes tine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.