Modification of small bowel mechanosensitivity by intestinal fat

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Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipids may exacerbate symptoms induced by gut stimuli. AIM To determine the mechanism whereby fat exerts this effect. SUBJECTS Twenty four healthy subjects were studied during fasting. METHODS We measured perception (0–6 scale) in response to jejunal balloon distension and transmucosal electrical nerve stimulation; phasic stimuli (one minute) were randomly applied at five minute intervals during intestinal infusion (2 ml/min) of saline and then Intralipid 2 kcal/min (high fat; n=8 subjects), Intralipid 0.5 kcal/min (low fat; n=8), or saline (n=8). RESULTS Intestinal lipids increased the perception of jejunal distension regardless of concentration (by 53% with high fat, 49% with low fat, and 17% with saline; pCONCLUSION Physiological amounts of lipids heighten intestinal sensitivity by modulating intestinal mechanoreceptor response.