Effect of pacing on small intestinal motor activity and hormonal response in dogs

In seven beagle dogs with a Thiry-Vella loop, the effect of pacing on small intestinal motor activity was examined by means of extraluminal strain gauge force transducers. Recordings were obtained from the loop and from the remaining small intestine. Our study showed that pacing of the loop results in a significant reduction of the motility of the loop in the overnight fasted state (up to 39%), during loop feeding (up to 55%), and oral feeding (up to 39%); a similar reduction of the motility of the remaining small intestine (up to 43%); and a significant postprandial increase of insulin (9.0 microU/ml) and decrease of glucagon (94 pg/ml). The motility reduction of the loop and of the remaining small intestine as well as the anabolically improved pancreatic endocrine function (shown by an increase of the insulin-glucagon ratio) suggests that this form of pacing could be of benefit for motility disorders with decreased transit time.