Enteral nutrition ameliorates hepatic oxygenation and bioenergy status in endotoxic dogs

Since enteral nutrients vasodilate gut blood vessels, thus producing postpr adial intestinal hyperemia, the purpose of this experimental study is to in vestigate whether this hyperemia has any beneficial effect on the disturbed hepatic oxygenation and energy charge during early endotoxemia. Fourteen d ogs - after E. coli endotoxin administration through portal vein - were div ided into enteral feeding groups via a jejunostomy, or placebo feeding grou ps. Hepatic artery and portal vein blood flow was measured through transit- time flow probes, while liver microcirculation was assessed using the laser -Doppler technique. A Clark-type electrode allowed hepatic tissue pO(2) mon itoring, and liver tissue samples were obtained at different periods of the study for determination of ATP, ADP and AMP by reversed phase high-perform ance liquid chromatography, in order to calculate energy charge. All parame ters were registered before, during and after endotoxin infusion, as well a s during and after enteral or placebo feeding. All the previously described parameters revealed a statistically significant decline [p<0.001] during t he endotoxin infusion period in relation to baseline. After enteral feeding , all parameters exhibited a statistically significant increase in relation to controls [p<0.001]. It is concluded that enteral nutrition has a benefi cial influence on the affected hepatic oxygenation and energy charge caused by early phase endotoxic shock. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.