Influence of luminal nutrient composition on hemodynamics and oxygenation in developing intestine

Age-related differences in the intestinal hemodynamic and oxygenation responses to carbohydrate, protein, and lipid were studied in 1-day-, 3-day-, 2-wk-, and 1-mo-old piglets. A branch of the mesenteric vein draining an isolated loop of jejunoileum was used to measure intestinal blood flow, arteriovenous oxygen content difference, and venous and capillary pressure and to calculate oxygen uptake and vascular resistance. Fractionated intestinal flow was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Measurements were made before and after luminal placement of either 5% glucose, 2.3% casec, or 5% corn oil. In 1-day-old animals, unlike all older age groups, total intestinal blood flow and vascular resistance were unchanged by any nutrient. Fractionated flow to the mucosa/submucosa levels did, however, increase in the intestine of 1-day-old piglets to a similar extent as that in older age groups. Placement of lipid or protein into the lumen led to increased oxygen uptake in all age groups, whereas carbohydrate absorption resulted in no increase in intestinal oxygen consumption in 1- and 3-day-old animals. In 1-day-olds, the increased oxygen consumption was achieved by enhanced oxygen extraction with no change in total blood flow, whereas all other groups demonstrated increases in blood flow and/or oxygen extraction. Compared with a mixed meal, oxygen consumption was not significantly greater for an individual nutrient component.