Effect of ileo-jejunal transposition on intestinal structure, plasma enteroglucagon level and evoked potential difference in dogs

The effects of ileo-jejunal transposition (IJT) on intestinal structure, gastro-intestinal hormones and D-glucose- and L-glycine-evoked potential difference (PD) were studied in dogs. IJT was performed by isoperistaltic interposition of the distal fourth of the small bowel into the proximal jejunum, 15cm distal from the ligament of Treitz. 1) Following IJT, hyperenteroglucagonemia and an increase of mucosal thickness in the whole small intestine were observed. 2) The D-glucose-evoked PD in the mucosa of the transposed ileum was much lower than that in the preoperative ileal mucosa. On the other hand, L-glycine-evoked PD showed no difference between before and after IJT. These results suggest that both morphological and functional intestinal adaptation will simultaneously occur after IJT. This study also suggests that the mechanism of the intestinal adaptation after IJT may be, at least partly, mediated through the increased release of enteroglucagon.