Effects of pentagastrin on intestinal absorption and blood flow in the anaesthetized dog

1. Pentagastrin (1, 10 micrograms/min) was infused I.V. into fed and fasted anaesthetized dogs and the intestinal absorption of NaCl and H2O and blood flow were determined. The influence of pentagastrin-induced cardiovascular changes on absorption was investigated. 2. 22Na and 3H2O were used to determine the unidirectional Na and H2O fluxes from saline perfused through the ileal lumen and the clearances of 3H2O were used to calculate total and absorptive site blood flow. 3. Ileal absorption of Na and H2O was reduced by 10 micrograms/min pentagastrin due primarily to significant increases in the secretory flux of Na and decreases in the absorptive flux of H2O in both fed and fasted animals. 4. Neither total intestinal blood flow, arterial nor mesenteric vein pressure were changed by pentagastrin but absorptive site blood flow was decreased in fasted but not in fed dogs. 5. Pretreatment with atropine reduced the effects of pentagastrin but pretreatment with guanethidine potentiated the effects of pentagastrin. 6. Absorptive site blood flow was positively linearly correlated with the absorptive fluxes of both Na and H2O. The relationships between the secretory fluxes of Na and H2O and estimated capillary pressure were changed from a positive relationship in control periods to a less positive or negative relationship following pentagastrin. 7. It was concluded that pentagastrin reduces intestinal absorption through both a cardiovascular effect and an effect on the intestinal epithelium. Also, there is a strong autonomic component in the effects of pentagastrin on intestinal absorption.