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PubMed1988

The effect of chronic acidification of the canine duodenum on gastrin release from the antrum transplanted into the colon.

Exogenous infusion of acid into the canine duodenum inhibits acid secretion stimulated by endogenously released and exogenously administered gastrin. The importance of this mechanism in normal acid homeostasis and in the inhibition of chronic endogenous acid hypersecretion is not established. In this study the classic Dragstedt model antral colonic transplant (ACT) was used to produce endogenous hypergastrinemia and acid hypersecretion. The effects of the ACT when the duodenum was retained in continuity with the stomach (gastroduodenostomy) were compared with those obtained when the duodenum was no longer in continuity with the stomach (gastrojejunostomy). The duodenum markedly suppressed gastrin release (p = 0.003) and gastric acid secretion (p = 0.005) in each of the four dogs. The dogs remained free of ulcers for 8 months after gastroduodenostomy and ACT. However, after conversion to gastrojejunostomy, large, chronic peptic ulcers developed after a mean of 3.5 months. The inhibitory effect of the duodenum on gastric release and gastric acid secretion protected the dog against ulceration for an extended period. The duodenum may be the major site of inhibitory control of acid secretion and endogenous gastrin release in dogs.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed1987

Intramural distribution of regulatory peptides in the human stomach and duodenum.

The distribution of regulatory peptides was studied by radioimmunoassay in the separated mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa of the human oxyntic stomach, antrum and duodenum. Immunoreactive gastrin, secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide and motilin were virtually confined to the mucosa and duodenal submucosa, where endocrine cells are present. Only minor amounts of motilin and gastrin (3.2 +/- 0.5% and 4.3 +/- 0.8% of their total content, means + SEM, respectively) were found in the separated duodenal muscle. Somatostatin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, substance P-, and mammalian bombesin-like peptides showed distinct differential distributions in all layers. Substance P was low in the stomach and markedly increased in the duodenum, especially in the mucosa (fundus 0.8 +/- 0.2 pmol/g, duodenum 66 +/- 12). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and somatostatin, although well represented in the stomach, also increased in the duodenum in all layers of the wall (whole fundus 281 +/- 33 and 334 +/- 46 pmol/g, antrum 124 +/- 18 and 426 +/- 59, duodenum 507 +/- 99 and 1816 +/- 149, respectively). Mammalian bombesin immunoreactivity was comparatively abundant in the oxyntic stomach (mucosa 34 +/- 4.5 pmol/g, muscularis externa 29 +/- 4.8), less so in the antrum (6.3 +/- 1.5 and 11 +/- 3.2 pmol/g, respectively). Low concentrations of this peptide were measured in the duodenum, practically confined to the muscle (this layer 5.1 +/- 1.5 pmol/g, or 83 +/- 5.6% of the total content).

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Immunohistochemical studies on the ontogenesis of some endocrine cells in the chicken antrum and duodenum.

The time of appearance, morphology and topographic distribution of gastrin/CCK-, somatostatin-, 5HT-, and bombesin-like immunoreactive cells during embryonic and postnatal development were studied in chicken antrum and duodenum with immunohistochemical methods. Gastrin/CCK-like cells appeared on or about the 11th day in the antrum and duodenum, somatostatin-like cells around the 12th day in the antrum and the 11th day in the duodenum, bombesin-like cells appeared only in the antrum and only at hatching. In the early stages of development all the immunoreactive cells were localized in the surface epithelium, descending deeper into the glands as these form, although some cells could always be seen in the surface epithelium. Around the 17th day the number of gastrin/CCK-like cells and somatostatin-like cells in the antrum increases, while 5HT-like already become more numerous in the duodenum from the 13th day onwards. Two territories were recognized in the antrum of the adult: the first was near the duodenum where gastrin/CCK-like and somatostatin-like cells, often in close contact, were very numerous; the other territory was near the gizzard where bombesin-like cells were more numerous. Both regions contained 5HT-like cells in smaller number. In adult duodenum, 5HT-like cells were the most numerous, while somatostatin-like cells and gastrin/CCK-like cells, found in more superficial locations, were more scanty.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Clinical and pathologic features of the nodular duodenum.

Nodular duodenum, frequently described as nodular duodenitis, is endoscopically characterized by multiple erythematous nodules in the proximal duodenum and may represent a variant of duodenal inflammation. This study examines the incidence, clinical presentation, histologic correlates, natural history, and response to therapy of nodular duodenum in 83 patients who presented with epigastric pain, heartburn, early satiety, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding. There was a previous history of peptic ulcer disease in 58% of patients and gastroesophageal reflux in 33%. None of the patients had associated end-stage renal disease. Endoscopically, in addition to nodular duodenum, esophagitis was found in 17% of patients and gastritis in 32%. Histology of duodenal nodules revealed chronic inflammation in 58% of patients, Brunner's gland hyperplasia in 9%, gastric heterotopia in 7%, and normal mucosa in 26% of patients. In a group of 34 patients studied prospectively, high dosage (300 mg orally bid) therapy with the H2-antagonist ranitidine for 8 wk significantly improved symptoms and endoscopic appearance (p < 0.05). In 26 patients who completely or partially failed H2-antagonist therapy, continuation of therapy with omeprazole (40 mg orally qd) for 8 wk significantly improved symptoms and endoscopic findings (p < 0.05) in 10 patients. These therapeutic approaches led to improvement in the endoscopic findings, but to no statistically significant changes in the underlying histologic appearance of the duodenum. We conclude that nodular duodenum is an endoscopically distinct entity that may respond clinically to antisecretory therapy, but remains difficult to eradicate completely.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of injuries of the duodenum and pancreas].

The authors study 84 patients that had damages of the duodenum and or pancreas and underwent different types of surgery. In 39 patients who had damage only in the duodenum; there were 2 (4.0%) duodenal fistulas, and 3 (6.0%) intraperitoneal abscess. In 38 patients who had injuries only in the pancreas; there were 6 (13.1%) acute pancreatities, pancreatic fistulas and 1 (2.2%) pancreatic pseudocyst. In 7 cases, injuries were found to both pancreas and duodenum. The author reports 1 case of duodenal fistula (14.3%) 1 case of acute pancreatitis (14.3%) and 3 cases of pancreatic fistula (43.0%). Only 7 patients died (8.3%), and of these 2 died for reasons not directly related to the operatory technic used. A simple suture can be performed in those cases where a complete section of the duodenum is unnecessary and there is no injury to the duodenal papilla. A burying suture of the stomas associated with a side-to-side duodenojejunal anastomosis should be preferred in the complete section of the duodenum localized beyond the ampulla of Vater. In all superficial wounds of small extension a suture of the pancreas should be performed. Distal pancreatectomy of body or tail should be made in the wounds with a possible lesion to the Wirsung duct and when there is an extensive glandular lesion. The associate wounds of duodenum and pancreas should be treated as if they were isolated lesions.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1996

Pancreatic head resection with and without preservation of the duodenum: different postoperative gastric motility.

BACKGROUND: Early gastric stasis is a unique complication of pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Because the duodenum proved to be important in the initiation and consolidation of phase III activity of the migrating motor complex of the stomach, the absence of the duodenum and hence gastric phase III may be a cause of gastric stasis. METHODS: Postoperative gastrointestinal motility was measured with a pneumohydraulic capillary infusion system in nine patients who had undergone pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy through an indwelling tube assembly placed at operation, and compared with that in six patients who had undergone duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. Plasma motilin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The mean period until the first occurrence of gastric phase III was significantly longer in patients who had undergone a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (40.6 +/- 4.6 days or more) than in patients who had undergone a duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (18.8 +/- 4.3 days; p < 0.05). On the day of the first observation of gastric phase III, the plasma concentration of motilin at proximal jejunal phase III in patients who underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (50.2 +/- 9.8 pg/ml) was significantly lower than that at duodenal phase III in patients who underwent a duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (184.6 +/- 48.6 pg/ml; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric stasis after a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy may be in part attributable to the low concentration of plasma motilin caused by the resection of the duodenum.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) affects the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C isoenzymes in rat duodenum: influence of aging.

We have previously shown that the steroid hormone 1, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] stimulates total cell protein kinase C (PKC) activity in rat duodenum, an effect that is severely impaired in old animals. We further examined the role of 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) on PKC as it relates to aging by measuring hormone-induced changes in subcellular localization of PKC activity and isoenzymes in duodenal mucosae from young (three-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) rats. Short treatment of duodenum with 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) (0.1 nM, 1 min) increased membrane-associated PKC activity, whereas it decreased the activity in the cytosol of young rats but was without significant effect in aged animals. Furthermore, the ability to translocate was present in young animals after a short treatment with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 100 nM) or dioctanoyl-glycerol (50 microM), whereas the ability was absent in aged rats, suggesting that PKC function was impaired with aging independent of agonist stimulation. The expression of specific PKC isoenzymes and changes in their subcellular distribution after short exposure of the duodenum to the hormone were determined. Western blot analysis of total homogenates using antibodies to various PKC isoforms allowed detection of PKC alpha, beta, and delta. The expression of the straight theta and the zeta isoforms was in addition demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The pattern of isoenzymes present in the duodenum was unaffected by aging. In young rats, 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) translocates PKC alpha, beta, and delta to the membrane and nucleus; however, no translocation of PKC isoforms was observed in 24-month-old animals in response to the hormone. In summary, in rat duodenum, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) modulation of PKC activity and isoenzyme subcellular distribution are impaired with aging and may explain age-induced alterations in the intestinal processes under the control of the hormone.

Aging↗

PubMed1980

Healing of incisional wounds in stomach and duodenum. A biomechanical study.

The healing pattern of incisional wounds in the rat stomach and duodenum was determined. A model allowing the biomechanical determinations of complete load-deformation curves is described. Wounds were made in the nonglandular (rumen) and glandular oxyntic (corpus) parts of the stomach and in duodenum. The wounds were tested 5 to 40 days after operation. Of the intact tissues the nonglandular part of the stomach was found to be more extensible and required more energy to be ruptured than the glandular part of the stomach and duodenum. The healing wounds in the glandular part of the stomach and duodenum showed the most rapid increase in mechanical strength, and after 40 days both required more energy to be ruptured than intact tissue. Wounds in the nonglandular part of the stomach reached only 75% of intact strength value after 40 days. The process of wound healing resulted in an increase in tissue stiffness. These findings indicate that wound healing in stomach and duodenum is more rapid than that in most other tissues and that the load-strain data give a detailed picture of the healing process. The energy required to rupture a wound represents the most informative assessment of wound healing.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[125I]S(-)-zacopride labels a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine sensitive recognition site in rat duodenum and ileum.

Autoradiographic binding studies using [125I]S(-)-zacopride (0.1 nM) identified non-5-HT3 specific binding sites (defined by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 1.0 microM) in the rat duodenum and ileum and some other peripheral tissues (adrenal gland, liver, stomach, kidney and spleen). In the rat duodenum and ileum, saturation studies with [125I]S(-)-zacopride indicated that the specific binding was saturable and of high affinity to an apparently homogenous population of binding sites (duodenum Bmax = 1.88 fmol/mg, Kd = 0.078 nM; ileum Bmax = 1.60 fmol/mg, Kd = 0.071 nM). Competition studies with slices of either duodenum or ileum indicated that the pharmacology of the [125I]S(-)-zacopride recognition site in both tissues was comparable but differed from all 5-HT receptors and uptake sites reported to date. However, the [125I]S(-)-zacopride recognition site displayed some pharmacological and regional similarity to the 5-HT1P recognition site: The sensitivity of the [125I]S(-)-zacopride binding in the duodenum and ileum to GTP indicates that the radiolabelled recognition site may represent a functional G-protein coupled receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The in vitro release of immunoreactive dynorphin and alpha-neoendorphin from the perfused rat duodenum.

The release of immunoreactive (ir) dynorphin (DYN) and alpha-neoendorphin (ir-ANEO) from the isolated perfused rat duodenum was demonstrated using specific radioimmunoassays (RIAs). Depolarization of the tissue by increasing the potassium (K+) concentration up to 108 mM enhanced the release of ir-DYN and ir-ANEO in Ca2+-dependent manner. Administration of the serotonin-releasing agent fenfluramine (10(-6) M) and the serotonin receptor agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP, 10(-6) M) stimulated the release of ir-DYN and ir-ANEO from the duodenum. A subsequent study revealed that serotonin (5-HT, 10(-6)-10(-4) M) induced a dose-dependent increase in the release of ir-DYN and ir-ANEO from the duodenum. The effect of 5-HT on the release of ir-DYN and ir-ANEO from the duodenum was antagonized by 5-HT antagonist cyproheptadine (10(-6) M). The presence of dynorphin and the related peptides in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and their release from the duodenum in vitro indicate that these peptides may act as transmitters involved in some GIT functions. Furthermore, our results suggest that at least part of 5-HT effects on the GIT may be mediated by the release of dynorphin and the related peptides.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Effects of the agents affecting cyclic nucleotide metabolism on the bradykinin- and des-Arg9-bradykinin-induced relaxations and contractions in isolated rat duodenum.

1. Bradykinin and related kinins possess two different types of action (consisting of relaxation and contraction) in the isolated rat duodenum via their specific receptors. However, the mechanisms of these actions have not been fully elucidated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the agents affecting cyclic nucleotide metabolism on bradykinin-induced relaxations and on bradykinin- and des-Arg9-bradykinin-induced contractions. 2. Des-Arg9-bradykinin, B1 receptor agonist, and high concentrations of bradykinin elicited dose-dependent contractile responses in the rat duodenum, while low concentrations of bradykinin caused a dose-dependent relaxation in this tissue. 3. Nicotinic acid, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, inhibited the relaxation of rat duodenum induced by bradykinin at low concentrations in a non-competitive manner. However, the inhibitory efficacy of nicotinic acid against bradykinin was limited by 39.9% and this inhibition was not further increased by higher concentrations of nicotinic acid up to 10(-3) M. 4. Imidazole, an activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, caused a slight inhibition of the relaxant responses to low concentrations of bradykinin and of the contractile responses to des-Arg9-bradykinin and high concentrations of bradykinin in isolated rat duodenum. These inhibitions were also limited in efficacies and not increased by higher concentrations of imidazole. 5. Methylene blue, an agent that inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase, suppressed the contractions of rat duodenum induced by des-Arg9-bradykinin and high concentrations of bradykinin in a non-competitive manner. Again, these inhibitions were limited and further increase in the inhibitory efficacy was not observed in spite of increasing the methylene blue concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Age-associated changes in gene expression patterns in the duodenum and colon of rats.

In humans, decreased intestinal motility, compromised nutritional status and increased risk of colon cancer are commonly associated with aging. Here, we used the cDNA microarray analysis to detect age-associated changes in duodenal and colonic gene expression in male Fischer 344 rats. The primary finding of this study is that the magnitude and direction of age-associated changes in gene expression differs in the colon and duodenum. In the colon, 56 genes showed altered expression, whereas expression of only 25 genes was altered in the duodenum. The magnitude of change was greater in the colon than in the duodenum. The direction of change also differed; in the aged colon, expression of 51 genes increased and only five genes decreased. In contrast, in the aged duodenum, only seven genes increased, whereas 18 genes decreased in expression. In the duodenum of aged rats, expression of genes involved in ATP-generating pathways is decreased. In contrast, in the colon of aged rats, expression of genes involved in energy generating pathways and in lipid oxidation is increased. In addition, in the aging colon, an increased expression of genes that show an aberrant regulation in colon cancer, including CD44, ras, and maspin is observed. Collectively, these findings provide clues to molecular events that may be related to compromised intestinal function and the high incidence of colon cancer in the aged population.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

Influence of age on 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 activation of protein kinase C in rat duodenum.

We have studied age-related changes in the non-genomic regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and their role in 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent calcium uptake in the rat duodenum. Treatment of duodenal mucosae from 3 month-old (young) rats with hormone physiological concentrations (0.1 nM) induced an acute and transient stimulation of total tissue PKC activity which was maximal at 1 min (+80%). The responses were evidenced up to 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3. The duodenum from 22 to 24 month old (aged) rats exhibited higher basal PKC activity which was not significantly modified after addition of the hormone. In the young duodenum PKC activation by 1,25(OH)2D3 was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ influx as it could be abolished to a great extent by EGTA and the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil. In addition, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 elicited a marked stimulation of duodenal mucosae PKC in young rats but was without effects in aged animals. 1,25(OH)2D3 increased the influx of 45Ca2+ in duodenal mucosae of young rats in a dose-(0.1-1 nM) and time-(1-10 min) dependent fashion. This response to the hormone was impaired in aged animals. Similarly as 1,25(OH)2D3, the PKC activator dioctanoylglycerol (DOG) rapidly (1-5 min) increased [45Ca2+] influx in duodena from young rats whereas the response to DOG was blunted in senescent animals. Furthermore, PKC inhibitors (bisindolylmaleimide, staurosporine and compound H7) abolished 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation of Ca2+ uptake in the young duodenum. These results suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates PKC activity in the mammalian duodenum by a non-genomic mechanism which involves the rapid influx of extracellular Ca2+, and that activation of PKC, in turn, mediates hormone stimulation of intestinal Ca2+ uptake. The data also indicates that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulation of Ca2+ transport through the PKC messenger system is impaired with aging.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1999

MRI of normal and abnormal duodenum using Half-Fourier Single-Shot RARE and gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient echo sequences.

The objective of this research was two-fold: First, to describe the normal and abnormal MR appearances of the duodenum using combined Half-Fourier Acquisition Single Shot RARE (HASTE) and gadolinium-enhanced standard and fat suppressed spoiled gradient echo (SGE) sequences. The second objective was to assess the ability of these combined sequences to detect and characterize duodenal diseases. MR examinations were performed on fifty consecutive patients with no clinical history of duodenal diseases, who were 1) imaged with HASTE and gadolinium-enhanced standard and fat suppressed SGE sequences and 2) referred to MR examination for reasons other than duodenal diseases, and were reviewed retrospectively to determine the normal MR appearances of the duodenum. A second population of patients with abnormal duodenum who were imaged with the same MR sequences were included in the second part of this study. This population was composed of 20 consecutive patients with subsequently proven duodenal abnormalities, including: malrotation (2), diverticula (4), intussusception (1), sprue (1), polyps (2), neurofibroma (1), lymphoma (1), Zollinger Ellison syndrome (1), metastatic disease (1), Crohn's disease (1), and wall thickening and duodenitis (5). Normal measurements of the duodenum are described. Abnormalities of wall thickness and duodenal masses required combined HASTE and gadolinium-enhanced SGE images to evaluate well. Abnormalities of the bowel lumen (e.g., diverticula and intussusception), and developmental variants (e.g., malrotation), were sufficiently visualized on HASTE images alone. Bowel inflammation was best shown on gadolinium-enhanced fat suppressed SGE images. HASTE and gadolinium-enhanced fat suppressed SGE sequences are complementary techniques for the demonstration of normal and abnormal duodenum. The combined use of both sequences allows evaluation of different aspects of bowel diseases; abnormalities of position, lumen, and contents are well shown on HASTE, while inflammation is best shown on gadolinium enhanced fat suppressed SGE, and wall thickening and masses are best evaluated with the combined use of both techniques.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Murine duodenum does not go through a "solid core" stage in its embryological development.

Embryological development of duodenum is believed to go through a "solid core" stage which subsequently vacuolizes. Failure of vacuolization is thought to be the cause of duodenal atresia. This study examines the embryological development of rat duodenum. Thirty-six time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Six fetal duodenal specimens were obtained for each gestational day from day 9 to day 20. These specimens were fixed with formalin, sectioned, stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined under microscope. The duodenal diameters and the lumen diameters at each gestational date were measured. The foregut started to form at the gestation stage of day 10. The lumen was narrowest on days 12 and 13, but the duodenum did not become a "solid core". No vacuolization was detected through out the development of the duodenum. Embryological development of rat duodenum did not go through a "solid core" stage.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

[Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract of growing young bulls. 2. Feed protein flow into the duodenum determined with 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker for crude bacterial protein].

The experimental ascertainment of the pure feed protein flowing into the duodenum on the basis of the calculation of the difference between the NH3-free crude protein flowing into the duodenum and the bacterial crude protein determined by means of DAPA showed the following results after the testing of 28 different rations at a dry matter intake adequate to the production level: With a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content of the ration between 40 and 90%, the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is 52.5%, and with a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content between 80 and 90% it is 40.6%. The quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum shows a negative correlation to the apparent digestibility of the organic matter (y=231.7 -2.52x +/- 14.5). With a DM-intake adequate to the production level the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is neither influenced by the flow rate (kg digesta/kg DM-intake) nor by the 'dilution rate' (g bacteria-free DMD/kg live weight 0.75/h).

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1986

Adaptation of the duodenum and ileum of the rat to mid-gut resection: enzyme activity and trace metal status.

Activities of the enzymes lactase, sucrase, maltase, alkaline phosphatase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in mucosa of duodenum and ileum of the rat after 70% resection of mid-small intestine or sham operation (transection). We also measured the concentrations of zinc, copper, and manganese in several tissues to assess trace metal homeostasis postresection. Resection resulted in decreased specific activities of disaccharidases and alkaline phosphatase in duodenum, while specific activities remained unchanged in ileum. Specific activity of total SOD (the sum of Cu-Zn and Mn SOD) and Mn SOD was the same in duodenum after resection but was markedly increased in ileum. Tissue trace metal concentrations changed minimally. Because of postresection mucosal growth, total segmental activity of disaccharidases and alkaline phosphatase was the same in duodenum and increased in ileum of resected compared to transected rats. Segmental activity of total SOD and Mn SOD doubled in duodenum and trebled in ileum of resected as compared to transected rats. Thus, total segmental enzyme activity is maintained or increased postresection by increased enterocyte proliferation rate and mucosal growth.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1978

Retrograde movement of digesta in the duodenum of the chick: extent, frequency, and nutritional implications.

Movement of digesta from the duodenum to the gizzard of chicks was assessed by injection of 99mTc-diethyl-triamino-pentaacetic acid via an indwelling cannula in the hepatic bile duct. The change in location of isotope with time was followed with a Gamma Camera. About 40% of the injected isotope refluxed to the gizzard within 2 minutes of injection. Clearance of the isotope from the gizzard had a T1/2 of some 20 minutes. Some possible implications of retrograde movement of digesta were examined. Cholesterol, bile salts and pancreatic enzymes were found in the gizzard at 10% to 20% of duodenal concentrations. The proteolysis and lipolysis in the gizzard and duodenum were determined in chicks fed a duet containing 91Y as a non-absorbed reference substance. Thirty percent of the feed triglycerides were found hydrolysed in the gizzard as compared to 50% to 60% in the duodenum. Proteins were 30% to 50% trichloroacetic acid soluble in the gizzard reaching almost 70% in the duodenum. A small net secretion of both fatty acids and protein was observed in the gizzard, probably due to reflux of endogenous secretions from the duodenum. The nutritional significance of these results is discussed.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗