Changes in the migrating myoelectrical complex of canine gastro-intestinal tract depending on the dietary regime

Experiments were made to study the effect of vegetable protein (soya) and animal protein (meat) on the migrating myoelectrical complex (MMC) in the stomach and small intestine of dogs with chronically implanted electrodes. MMC was tested under different dietary conditions: (1) Diet No 1 comprising animal protein; (2) Diet No 2 poor in protein and diet No 3 with vegetable protein (soya). In the case of protein-deficient dietary regime (diet No 2) disturbance in MMC is observed--spike activity is constantly recorded. First phase of MMC is not observed. The transition from diet No 2 to diet No 3 at the end of the first week is accompanied by a tendency toward the formation of brief rest periods, with a considerable increase in the duration of 100% spike activity. At the end of the 30th day the different MMC phases were not well differentiated. Upon transition from protein-poor regime to diet No 1 during the second week, the different MMC of the stomach and small intestine are very well expressed. The problem of the generation and propagation of MMC is discussed. MMC is considered as a manifestation of the "biological clock" which responds to every change taking place in the organism during its interaction with the environment.