Closed Loop Fluid. 20

Abstract

In the course of work previously reported 1 on closed loops of small intestine, observations were made upon the nature of the fluid aspirated from the distended loop after complete recovery of the animal. While a closed loop may not show any accumulated fluid for weeks at a time it may at intervals become filled with fluid, which must be aspirated to prevent distension and necrosis of the loop. This fluid is gray in color and has a specific gravity of 1.012 (average of 108 specimens).

The reaction, determined by the quinhydron electrode, varied within relatively wide limits: 47 jejunal loop specimens gave an average pH of 7.5 with extremes of 9.0 and 6.3; 51 ileal loop specimens gave an average of 7.7 with extremes of 9.0 and 6.2. All determinations were made immediately after withdrawing the fluid.

In testing for enzymes the following substrates were used: 1% sucrase solution, 5% peptone and olive oil. The sucrase activity was estimated by determining the amount of reducing sugars by the Schaffer-Hartman method. Peptone hydrolysis was estimated by the formol titration and lipase activity measured by titrating the fatty acids liberated with alcoholic KOH. Seventy-four ileal specimens were tested and 104 jejunal specimens. Sucrase and erepsin activity were demonstrated in 50% of the ileal specimens and in 75% of the jejunal specimens. Lipase was only occasionally present.

These results show that the fluid accumulated in a distended loop is not pure Succus entericus. Some factor has brought about abnormal secretion together with some filtration into the loop. Normal loops absorb all fluid leaving a slowly accumulating pastelike debris.