Differences between jejunal myoelectric activity after a meal and during phase 2 of migrating motor complexes in healthy humans

Abstract

Using an intraluminal probe with six pairs of annular electrodes, the myoelectric activity of the proximal jejunum was recorded during 48-hr sessions in 16 healthy volunteers receiving evening and noon meals (1000 kcal) and breakfast (400 kcal). In 10 subjects receiving no drug, the characteristics of the migrating motor complexes (period, duration of each phase, velocity of propagation of phase 3, duration of the postprandial disruption) varied markedly between subjects but were relatively constant from the first to the second day of recording. Single spike bursts propagated at a rate of 2-5 cm/sec, clusters of 3-10 spike bursts propagated at a rate of 0.5-1 cm/sec, and similar clusters recurring repetitively each 1.5-2 min were observed after the meals and very rarely in the fasted state during phase 2 of nocturnal migrating motor complexes. In six subjects, oral administration of codeine (50 mg) 1 hr before a meal induced migrating motor complexes in the postprandial state, with characteristics similar to that observed in the fasted state except a longer duration of phase 2. Single spike bursts and isolated and repetitive clusters of spike bursts were observed during phase 2 of the codeine-induced migrating motor complexes and after meals preceded by placebo, but very rarely during the phase 2 of nocturnal (fasted state) migrating motor complexes. It is concluded that the patterns of jejunal contractions consisting of propagated single spike bursts and isolated or repetitive spike bursts characterize the postprandial state in healthy humans and are dependent upon digesta flow.

Involvement of small intestinal motility in blood glucose response to dietary fibre in man

“…Postprandial myoelectrical activity in the small intestine consists of both aborally propagated and stationary randomly-appearing spike bursts (Staumont et al 1992). Propagated activity itself consists of two different patterns, rushes and minute-rhythms (Bruley des Varannes et al 1992).…”

Alterations of sensori-motor functions of the digestive tract in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome

“…57 In the fasting state, activity is organised in three distinct phases that occur in regular cycles, originate from the stomach or duodenum and migrate slowly along the small bowel: the MMC that is present in all mammalian species. 58 This cyclical organisation is disrupted after a meal in animals 59 and in humans 60 and replaced by an apparently random but intense contractile activity along the small bowel. Depending on the size and the caloric content of the meal, this disruption may last 2.5-8 hours after the meal.…”

“…63,64,68,69 This pattern, named minute rhythm, as bursts of contractions appear at a regular frequency of one/minute has however been observed in healthy volunteers and is thus not specific of IBS (Figure 4). 60 The motility in the area of the ileo-caecal valve has also been studied in IBS patients. While whole gut transit is normal in IBS patients and accelerated in diarrhoeapredominant ones 70 , it was also suggested that ileo-colonic transit was delayed in patients complaining of bloating.…”

Ovine small bowel “minute rhythm” intensity related to feeding and phase of migrating myoelectric complex

“…The MR is the classical term of the pattern. It is also named 'clusters of waves' or 'clusters of contractions' or 'repetitive clusters of the spike bursts' (Heddle et al, 1993;Staumont et al, 1992). The event is considered as the regular motility pattern (Husebye, 1999;Sarna and Otterson, 1989).…”