Effect of duodenal glucose and acute hyperglycemia on rectal perception and compliance in response to tension-controlled rectal distension in healthy humans.

Background: Acute changes in blood glucose concentration affect gastrointestinal motor and sensory function. Tone and distensibility contribute to intact rectal function.

Aims: To test the effects of duodenal glucose (euglycemic hyperinsulinemia), intravenous glucose (hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia), and saline (euglycemic normoinsulinemia as control) on rectal perception and compliance in response to tension-controlled rectal distension.

Influence of E. coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) on intestinal gas dynamics and abdominal sensation.

E. coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a probiotic clinically used with various indications. However, especially at the beginning of treatment, some patients report abdominal bloating.

Intestinal gas retention in patients with idiopathic slow-transit constipation.

Patients with slow-transit constipation (STC) have delayed colonic transit for solid und liquid bowel contents but intestinal gas handling has not been studied so far. Different nutrients influence motor and sensory gut function. We hypothesized that, in patients with STC, alteration of regulatory mechanisms may result in impaired intestinal gas dynamics.

Impaired intestinal gas clearance during marked hyperglycemia in patients with functional abdominal bloating.

Background: Especially in patients with functional intestinal disorders, impaired intestinal gas transit can be involved in abdominal symptom generation. We have previously demonstrated an acceleration of intestinal gas clearance in health during acute fasting hyperglycemia and hypothesize that in patients with functional abdominal bloating this mechanism may fail.

Methods: In 14 healthy subjects and 14 patients with functional abdominal bloating we compared effects of acute fasting hyperglycemia (approximately 12 mmol/l) and during euglycemia (control studies) on intestinal gas dynamics.