Gastric Emptying of Liquids and Postprandial Pancreatobiliary Secretion are Temporarily Impaired During Endotoxemia

The aims of our study were to determinemechanisms by which pancreatobiliary secretion isaltered during endotoxemia. Dogs underwent placement ofduodenal perfusion and aspiration catheters and antralmanometry catheters. Gastric emptying of liquids, antralmotility, output of bile acids and amylase, and serumlevels of enteric hormones were determined afteringestion of a 360-kcal mixed-nutrient liquid meal. Each dog was then given a single dose of E.coli lipopolysaccharide (200 g/kg, intravenously)and the studies repeated for the next three days.Endotoxin slowed gastric emptying of liquids anddecreased amylase output for two days. Bile acid outputwas decreased on postendotoxin day 1. Pancreaticpolypeptide alone was decreased on postendotoxin day 1.We conclude that the decrease in pancreatobiliary output is probably due to decreased nutrient flow intothe duodenum and not due to decreased production ofhormones that influence pancreatobiliary secretion. Thedelayed gastric emptying, decreased pancreatobiliary output, and decreased postprandial levels ofpancreatic polypeptide suggest diminished vagal outputas a possible explanation for the effects of endotoxinon upper gut function.