The utility of cellulose meals for studies on gastrointestinal motility in dogs

This study evaluated the effect of a cellulose meal and a cellulose-oleic acid meal on gastroduodenal motility and gastric emptying. The cellulose meal produced a high antral motility index (100 +/- 34 V/10 min) and a high proportion (80.2%) of propulsive duodenal contractions. The oleic acid meal was associated with a significantly lower antral motility index (70 +/- 34 V/10 min), a high proportion (78.7%) of segmental duodenal contractions, and a reduced emptying rate (half time 93 +/- 18 versus 30 +/- 7 min). Results indicate that the inert cellulose meal is advantageous in studying the effects of different nutrients on gastrointestinal motility.