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Effect of amino acids on mesenteric blood flow in humans
H A Gielkens1, J A van Oostayen, W Onkenhout
1Dept. of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Background:
Intraluminal nutrients increase superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow. Little is known about the effect of circulating nutrients.
Methods:
The effect of a commercially available mixed amino acids solution, given either intravenously (IVAA) or intraduodenally (IDAA), on SMA hemodynamics was investigated in five healthy volunteers (three men, two women; 20-30 years old). Amino acids were given at a rate of 250 mg protein/kg/h for 2 h. Saline was used as control solution. Doppler ultrasound measurements of SMA hemodynamics were performed after 0, 30, 60, and 120 min.
Results:
IVAA had no significant effect on SMA hemodynamics. In contrast, IDAA significantly (P < 0.05) increased SMA flow volume by 60-80% over basal and the IVAA experiment. This increase in SMA flow volume during IDAA resulted primarily from a significant (P < 0.05) increase in time-averaged velocity. During IDAA both the peak systolic velocity and the end-diastolic velocity increased significantly (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
In healthy subjects intraduodenal, but not intravenous, amino acids significantly increase SMA blood flow.