Effect of endotoxin on canine gastrointestinal motility and transit

Ileus is common during sepsis; however, the etiology of this gastrointestinal dysmotility is unclear. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of a single, sublethal dose of endotoxin on canine gastrointestinal motility, gastric emptying, gastric acid secretion, and colonic transit. Six dogs underwent placement of manometric catheters in the stomach and small bowel and insertion of a gastric and a cecal cannula. After the animals recovered, fasting and fed gastrointestinal motility was recorded, and gastric emptying and colonic transit were studied with nonabsorbable liquid and solid markers, respectively. Following completion of baseline studies, each dog was given a single dose of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (200 micrograms/kg intravenously) and the studies were repeated on Postendotoxin Days 1-3. The single bolus of endotoxin abolished the migrating motor complexes, decreased the fasting motility index, decreased hydrogen ion output, slowed liquid gastric emptying, and prolonged colonic transit for 2 days. Gastrointestinal motility and transit returned to baseline on Postendotoxin Day 3. In conclusion, a single, sublethal dose of endotoxin temporarily disrupts fasting and postprandial canine gastrointestinal motility and transit.