Ileal short-chain fatty acids inhibit gastric motility by a humoral pathway

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nervous and humoral pathways involved in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-induced ileal brake in conscious pigs. The role of extrinsic ileal innervation was evaluated after SCFA infusion in innervated and denervated Babkin's ileal loops, and gastric motility was measured with strain gauges. Peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were evaluated in both situations. The possible involvement of absorbed SCFA was tested by using intravenous infusion of acetate. Ileal SCFA infusion in the intact terminal ileum decreased the amplitude of distal and terminal antral contractions (33 +/- 1.2 vs. 49 +/- 1.2% of the maximal amplitude recorded before infusion) and increased their frequency (1.5 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.10/min). Similar effects were observed during SCFA infusion in ileal innervated and denervated loops (amplitude, 35 +/- 1.0 and 34 +/- 0.8 vs. 47 +/- 1.3 and 43 +/- 1.2%; frequency, 1.4 +/- 0.07 and 1.6 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.14 and 1.0 +/- 0.12/min). Intravenous acetate did not modify the amplitude and frequency of antral contractions. PYY but not GLP-1 concentrations were increased during SCFA infusion in innervated and denervated loops. In conclusion, ileal SCFA inhibit distal gastric motility by a humoral pathway involving the release of an inhibiting factor, which is likely PYY.