Background: It has been shown that the pattern of previous nutrient intake
can influence gastric emptying. However, the effect of the absence of enter
al stimulation in the setting of a normal energy supply on gastric emptying
has not been examined. The aim of this study was to determine whether the
absence of enteral stimulation during total. parenteral nutrition (TPN) cou
ld modify gastric emptying in rats. Methods: Two experiments were performed
. First, gastric emptying of a peptone meal was compared between rats recei
ving TPN, oral liquid diet (same solution as TPN), or regular diet (control
group) for 10 days. In the second experiment, gastric emptying of two test
meals (40% peptone and 25% glucose) was studied before and after rats rece
ived TPN or intragastric nutrition (same solution as TPN) for 10 to 12 days
. Results: In experiment 1, gastric emptying of 40% peptone in the TPN and
liquid diet groups was slower than that in the control group. This differen
ce was significant between the TPN group and the control group (p <.01) but
not between the liquid diet and control groups (p =.076). Gastric emptying
of this meal in the TPN and liquid diet groups was similar. In experiment
2, no difference in gastric emptying of 40% peptone or 25% glucose was foun
d between rats receiving TPN and those receiving intragastric nutrition for
10 to 12 days. Conclusions: The composition of diet not the route of feedi
ng is important in the modification of gastric emptying by the pattern of p
revious nutrient intake.