Effects of intestinal transplantation on postprandial motility and regulation of intestinal transit

Background. The effects of intestinal transplantation on gut motility! have not been completely defined. In this study we examine the effects of ileal transplantation on ileal smooth muscle contractility, together with gastro duodenal emptying intestinal flow, and transit rates in a canine model of s hort-gut syndrome. Methods. Animals (n = 22) were instrumented with strain gauge transducers, collection cannulae, and infusion catheters to assess motility intestinal f low and transit rates, anti gastroduodenal emptying Ten animals served to d efine normal parameters. Six animals underwent a 70% resection of the maxim al small intestine to serve as short-gut controls. Six animals underwent re moval of a 100-cm segment of the ileum, with cold storage, and autotranspla ntation the following day combined with a 70% resection of proximal bowel Results. Transplant animals exhibited delayed gastroduodenal emptying reduc ed intestinal flow rates, and postprandial phasic contractions that were si milar to short-gut controls. However; transplant animals experienced rapid intestinal transit compared with short-gut controls (4. 8 +/- 0.4 cm/min vs 2.0 +/- 0.3 cm/min; mean +/- SEM; P < .05). Conclusions. The transplanted intestine, even with 18 hours of cold storage exhibits a relatively normal postprandial motor response. However adaptive responses of the transplanted intestine, such as regulation of intestine t ransit, may be impaired by neuromuscular injury associated with denervation or ischemia.