Postprandial gastrointestinal blood flow and oxygen consumption during environmental cold stress

We studied the independent and combined effects of feeding and environmental cold stress by measuring pre- and postprandial gastrointestinal blood flow (QGI), oxygen consumption (GIVO2), and oxygen extraction (GIO2ex) in seven awake 3- to 4-day-old piglets while in a thermoneutral environment (control phase, 31 degrees C) and during environmental cold stress (experimental phase, 20.5 degrees C). Each animal consecutively completed both the control and experimental phases. In the control phase, measurements were made before and 30 min after feeding. In the experimental phase, measurements were made before and 30 min after induction of cold stress. A feeding was then given and measurements repeated 30 min later during continued cold stress. QGI (ml.100 g-1.min-1) increased postprandially while in a thermoneutral environment (130 +/- 11 to 152 +/- 12) but not while in a cold environment (126 +/- 15 to 121 +/- 8). Postprandial GIVO2 (ml O2.100 g-1.min-1) increased from 2.1 +/- 0.2 to 3.7 +/- 0.5 while in a warm environment. During preprandial cold stress, an unexpected increase in GIVO2 was observed (1.7 +/- 0.2 to 3.1 +/- 0.5). Feeding while in a cold environment provoked a further significant increase in GIVO2 (3.1 +/- 0.5 to 4.2 +/- 0.4). All increases in GIVO2 were associated with increased GIO2ex. This study has demonstrated that 1) postprandial GIVO2 is appropriately increased during cold stress as a function of GIO2ex and 2) that fasting GIVO2 is increased during cold stress, demonstrating an intestinal metabolic contribution to cold-induced systemic thermogenesis.