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Introduction of conventional microbial flora to germfree rats increases the frequency of migrating myoelectric complexes
Author(s) -
HUSEBYE E.,
HELLSTRÖM P. M.,
MIDTVEDT T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2982.1992.tb00077.x
Subject(s) - jejunum , migrating motor complex , small intestine , motility , ileum , stimulation , intestinal motility , bacterial overgrowth , flora (microbiology) , large intestine , biology , chemistry , gastroenterology , medicine , endocrinology , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
The present study demonstrates a direct stimulating influence of the viable conventional microbial flora on fasting myoelectric activity of the small intestine. Ten germfree AGUS rats were operated upon within sterile stainless steel isolators. Three bipolar electrodes were implanted into the muscular wall of the proximal small intestine, and fasting myoelectric recordings were performed one week later. Subsequently, the rats were transferred to the external conventional environment, and caecel content from conventional AGUS rats was given perorally and rectally. One week later, when the intestinal tract was colonized, myoelectric recordings were repeated. The frequency of activity fronts in proximal jejunum increased after introduction of conventional intestinal microflora, reflected by a decrease of the interval between activity fronts from median 17.6 min (15.2–23.4 min) (10th and 90th percentiles) to 13.9 min (11.4–17.6 min) (P < 0.05). The duration of activity fronts in proximal jejunum decreased from 4.9 min (3.8–5.9 min) to 3.6 min (3.2–3.9 min), respectively (P < 0.05). The propagation velocity of activity fronts was not significantly different. Stimulation of the fasting motility in the small intestine by conventional microbial flora may reflect activation of a physiological defense response in the host, in order to restrict bacterial colonization and avoid bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine.