Endogenous opiates in the mediation of early meal-induced jejunal absorption of water and electrolytes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous opiates in mediating meal-stimulated jejunal absorption. Jejunal Thiry-Vella loops, 25 cm long, were studied in awake conditioned dogs, using luminal perfusion with carbon-14 polyethylene glycol. Fluxes of water, sodium, and chloride were calculated every 15 minutes over a 1-hour basal period, followed by a 3-hour experimental period. The animals were divided into four groups: control, naloxone, meal, and meal plus naloxone. In the control and naloxone groups, the fluxes did not change over the 4-hour observation period. Meal alone immediately stimulated the absorption of water and electrolytes in the Thiry-Vella loop (p < 0.05). The addition of naloxone infusion to the meal stimulus resulted in significantly reduced absorption during the first hour after the meal (p < 0.05). We concluded that endogenous opiates play a role in meal-stimulated jejunal absorption.