Correlation between Peptide YY-Induced Myoelectric Activity and Transit of Small-Intestinal Contents in Rats

Abstract

The effect of peptide YY (PYY) on the myoelectric activity of the small intestine was studied in relation to the transit of a ⁵¹Cr marker solution in fasted conscious rats. The myoelectric activity was recorded by means of bipolar electrodes implanted at 5, 20, and 35 cm from the pylorus. The marker was administered in the duodenum immediately after an activity front of a migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) had passed the first recording site. Under control conditions, the propagation of one activity front over the three recording levels was accompanied by the propulsion of 90.2 11.4% of the total radioactivity as one portion distal to the third electrode site. The median peak of the radioactivity was recovered at a distance approximately twice that propagated by an activity front. Intravenous infusion of PYY (50pmol kg^-1 min¹) had no effect on the occurrence of the MMC in the duodenum but interrupted its distal propagation and almost totally abolished the spiking activity in the jejunum. In comparison with controls, the transport of the marker was significantly retarded, and the median peak of the radioactivity was recovered proximal to the third electrode site. The results indicate that the small-intestinal contents are propelled as one portion in front of a propagating activity front. The inhibition of the activity front by PYY may account for the delay in the transit of the small-intestinal contents. Since the major portion of the radioactive marker was not recovered close to the site of the activity front, it is suggested that segments of intestine undergoing different phases of myoelectric activity distal to the activity front may also contribute to the transit of the luminal contents.