Duodenogastric reflux in the dog

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Digestive Physiology

Background:

• Duodenogastric reflux (DGR) and gastric emptying are critical physiological processes.
• Understanding their interplay with meal composition and pharmacological agents is essential for digestive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of lipid versus protein meals on DGR, gastric emptying, and secretion.
• To evaluate the impact of atropine on these parameters.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous measurement of DGR, gastric emptying, and gastric secretion using a double-marker technique.
• Administration of liquid lipid (Intralipid) or protein (Bactopeptone) meals to trained dogs.
• Intravenous infusion of atropine to assess its effects.

Main Results:

• Lipid meals exhibited slower gastric emptying and less secretion compared to protein meals.
• DGR rate and intragastric duodenal content accumulation were similar for both meal types alone.
• Atropine slowed gastric emptying and inhibited secretion with protein meals, while increasing DGR and duodenal content accumulation with both meal types.
• Intragastric duodenal content increased with atropine, reaching up to 40% compared to 20% without atropine.

Conclusions:

• DGR and intragastric duodenal content accumulation are common during gastric digestion.
• Meal composition does not significantly influence the degree of duodenal content accumulation.
• Simultaneous stimulation of DGR and inhibition of gastric emptying significantly increases intragastric duodenal content.