Effect of different intravenous nutrients on upper gastrointestinal secretion in rats

Total parenteral nutrition has been advocated for nutritional support of patients with proximal small bowel fistula. Data on the direct effects of different nutrients on upper gastrointestinal secretion are controversial. Therefore, we examined the effects of glucose, amino acid, fat and mixed parenteral solutions on gastric juice secretion, hydrochloric acid and pepsin content, duodenal juice secretion, and pancreatic protein, amylase, bilirubin and bicarbonate content in thirty rats with chronic gastric and duodenal fistulas. Gastric secretion was increased by glucose solution (D10W) and by amino acid solution (5% AA) (13% and 12% increase respectively) but not to significant degree by fat emulsion (2% F). Both D10W and 5% AA caused comparable increase in hydrochloric acid secretion (D10W: +34%; 5% AA: +28%) and the pepsin secretion (D10W: +37%). The single infusion of hypertonic glucose, amino acids and fat were associated with decreases in duodenal fistula volume (p less than 0.05) or content output. Mixed nutrients decreased both gastric secretion (volume: -28%; HCl: -19%; pepsin: -65%) and duodenal juice volume (p less than 0.05), protein and amylase content (p less than 0.05). The elevated bilirubin in reduced volume of duodenal juice caused by mixed nutrients may be responsible for bile sludge formation. This study indicates that the use of parenteral nutrition can provide full nutritional support while decreases the fistula output.