Site-specific variations in basal and meal-stimulated intestinal absorption

The ingestion of a meal increases water and electrolyte absorption in the proximal jejunum. The purpose of these experiments was to elucidate any site-specific variations in intestinal absorption, comparing jejunum to ileum, in both the basal and the meal-stimulated states. Twenty-five-centimeter proximal jejunal and distal ileal Thiry-Vella fistulae were constructed in four dogs. Simultaneous jejunal and ileal absorption studies were performed using [¹⁴C]PEG to calculate net absorption of water and electrolytes. Two groups were studied: in Group 1 no meal was ingested, while in Group 2, the animals ingested a mixed meal. Each study consisted of a 1-hr basal period and a 3-hr experimental period. In the basal state ileal absorption significantly exceeded jejunal absorption (P < 0.0001). The ingestion of mixed meal significantly increased water and electrolyte absorption in both the jejunum and the ileum, (P < 0.001), with the magnitude of meal-stimulated ileal absorption significantly exceeding the magnitude of meal-stimulated jejunal absorption (P < 0.001). These studies demonstrate distinct site specific variations in intestinal water and electrolyte absorption in both the basal and the meal-stimulated states.