Site-specific Variations in Basal and Meal-stimulated Intestinal Absorption

The ingestion of a meal increases water and electrolyte absorption in the proximal jejunum. The purpose of these experiments was to elucidate any site-specific variations in intestinal absorption, comparing jejunum to ileum, in both the basal and the meal-stimulated states. Twenty-five-centimeter proximal jejunal and distal ileal Thirty-Vella fistulae were constructed in four dogs. Simultaneous jejunal and ileal absorption studies were performed using [14C]PEG to calculate net absorption of water and electrolytes. Two groups were studied: in Group 1 no meal was ingested, while in Group 2, the animals ingested a mixed meal. Each study consisted of a 1-hr basal period and a 3-hr experimental period. In the basal state ileal absorption significantly exceeded jejunal absorption (P less than 0.0001). The ingestion of mixed meal significantly increased water and electrolyte absorption in both the jejunum and the ileum, (P less than 0.001), with the magnitude of meal-stimulated ileal absorption significantly exceeding the magnitude of meal-stimulated jejunal absorption (P less than 0.001). These studies demonstrate distinct site specific variations in intestinal water and electrolyte absorption in both the basal and the meal-stimulated states.