AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 263, Issue 4 533-G537, Copyright © 1992 by American Physiological Society
Response of migrating motor complex to variation of fasting intraluminal content
D. Smith, B. Waldron and F. C. Campbell
Department of Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom.
The characteristics of the phases of the migrating motor complex (MMC) were
studied in the antrum, duodenum, and jejunum after alteration of
intraluminal gas and acaloric fluid in 17 healthy volunteers. Aspiration of
gas and fluid from the upper gastrointestinal tract reduced motor activity.
In the antrum and duodenum, phase II contraction amplitude decreased, while
in the duodenum and jejunum, the duration of phase II decreased and phase I
increased. Phase III contraction frequency decreased in the duodenum only.
Intragastric instillation of gas caused an increase of phase II duration
and contraction amplitude in all regions. Similar effects were observed
after intragastric instillation of fluid. Fasting periodic motor activity
is responsive to volume changes of intraluminal gas and acaloric liquid
content.
