Effect of modified sham feeding on jejunal transport and pancreatic and biliary secretion in man.

Because previous evidence suggested that intestinal secretion was under parasympathetic control, we investigated the effect of modified sham feeding on the intestinal transport of water and electrolytes by jejunal perfusion using a triple lumen tube. By measuring the concentration of amylase, protein, and bile acids entering the intestinal test segment, we were also able to obtain data on the influence of sham feeding on pancreatic and biliary secretion. Gastric contents were aspirated throughout the experiment. Although we observed a clear-cut cephalic phase of gastric acid secretion, sham feeding had no effect on jejunal transport of water and electrolytes or on the rate at which bile acids, protein, or amylase were secreted into the duodenum.