Effect of fat digestion on superior mesenteric artery blood flow in humans

T. Symersky, E.J. Huisman, M.N. Wasser, A.A. Masclee*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intraluminal nutrients stimulate superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow. Of the macronutrients, especially fat affects the magnitude of the SMA blood flow response to a meal. Little is known however on the influence of fat hydrolysis on SMA flow. METHODS: We compared in eight healthy volunteers the SMA flow response (Doppler ultrasonography) to continuous intraduodenal fat perfusion (LCT, 240 kCal h(-1)) during conditions with normal hydrolysis (placebo, control), increased hydrolysis (pancreatic enzyme supplementation; 50 kU lipase) and impaired hydrolysis (orlistat 240 mg). RESULTS: Intraduodenal LCT significantly (P<0.01) increased SMA flow in all experiments over basal. The SMA flow response to fat during pancreatic enzyme supplementation (1.49 +/- 0.1 l min(-1)) was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with placebo (1.11 +/- 0.16 l min(-1)). Lipase inhibition with orlistat did not significantly affect fat stimulated SMA flow compared with placebo: 0.89 +/- 0.08 l min(-1) versus 1.11 +/- 0.16 l min(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of pancreatic enzymes significantly increases fat stimulated SMA flow. Fat digest products in the intestinal lumen contribute to the regulation of SMA blood flow.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-11
JournalClinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2007

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