Effect of neurotensin on regional intestinal blood flow in the dog

The effects of various doses of synthetic neurotensin on regional blood flow in different tissue layers of the stomach, small bowel, colon, pancreas, brain, kidneys, adrenal gland, and heart of six dogs was studied using an isotope microsphere technique. Infusion of high doses (20, 40 pmol/kg . min(-1)) of exogenous synthetic neurotensin caused an increase of blood flow in the "muscularis" of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. Neurotensin infused in a dose (2.5 pmol/kg . min(-1)) raising neurotensin plasma levels to concentrations comparable to those observed after a meal caused an increase of blood flow in the muscular layer in ileum. Our results suggest that one of the physiologic actions of neurotensin may be the regulation of blood flow in the muscular layer of the ileum.