Intestinal Dysmotility: Effect of Colonic Load

Abnormal motility patterns in the jejunum can be detected in patients with prominent colonic distension, and it is not clear whether these abnormalities reflect a primary jejunal dysfunction or are due to a reflex distortion. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of colonic filling on jejunal postprandial motility using high-resolution manometry.

Healthy subjects will be studied following a controlled, parallel, randomized, single-blind experimental design. On the study day, nutrients will be continuously infused in the proximal jejunum (2 Kcal/min) during a 2-h period to induce a steady-state postprandial motor pattern. Jejunal motility will be concomitantly recorded using a water-perfused, high-resolution manometry catheter. After 1 hour of postprandial recording (basal period), a gas mixture will be infused during 7.5 minutes via a rectal tube (720 mL or sham infusion), and jejunal motility will be recorded for another hour.