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World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2007; 13(18): 2600-2603
Published online May 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i18.2600
Study of the duodenal contractile activity during antral contractions
Ahmed Shafik, Olfat El Sibai, Ali A Shafik
Ahmed Shafik, Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Olfat El Sibai, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
Ali A Shafik, Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Ahmed Shafik, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 2 Talaat Harb Street, Cairo 11121,Egypt. shafik@ahmedshafik.com
Telephone: +20-2-7498851 Fax: +20-2-7498851
Received: February 13, 2007
Revised: February 15, 2007
Accepted: March 26, 2007
Published online: May 14, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the hypothesis that duodenal bulb (DB) inhibition on pyloric antrum (PA) contraction is reflex.

METHODS: Balloon (condom)-tipped tube was introduced into 1st duodenum (DD) and a manometric tube into each of PA and DD. Duodenal and antral pressure response to duodenal and then PA balloon distension with saline was recorded. These tests were repeated after separate anesthetization of DD and PA.

RESULTS: Two and 4 mL of 1st DD balloon distension produced no pressure changes in DD or PA (10.7 ± 1.2 vs 9.8 ± 1.2, 11.2 ± 1.2 vs 11.3 ± 1.2 on H2O respectively, P > 0.05). Six mL distension effected 1st DD pressure rise (30.6 ± 3.4 cm H2O, P < 0.01) and PA pressure decrease (6.2 ± 1.4 cm H2O, P < 0.05); no response in 2nd, 3rd and 4th DD. There was no difference between 6, 8, and 10 mL distensions. Ten mL PA distension produced no PA or 1st DD pressure changes (P > 0.05). Twenty mL distension increased PA pressure (92.4 ± 10.7 cm H2O, P < 0.01) and decreased 1st DD pressure (1.6 ± 0.3 cm H2O, P < 0.01); 30, 40, and 50 mL distension produced the same effect as the 20 mL distension (P > 0.05). PA or DD distension after separate anesthetization produced no significant pressure changes in PA or DD.

CONCLUSION: Large volume DD distension produced DD pressure rise denoting DD contraction and PA pressure decline denoting PA relaxation. PA relaxation upon DD contraction is postulated to be mediated through a reflex which we call duodeno-antral reflex. Meanwhile, PA distension effected DD relaxation which we suggest to be reflex and termed antro-duodenal reflex. It is suggested that these 2 reflexes, could act as investigative tools in diagnosis of gastroduodenal motility disorders.

Keywords: Duodenal bulb; Gastroduodenal disorders; Reflex; Pyloric antrum; Motility