Physical exercise, mainly after vigorous activity, may induce gastrointestinal dysmotility whose mechanisms are still unknown. We hypothesized that physical exercise and ensuing lactate-related acidemia alter gastrointestinal motor behavior. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of short-term exercise on gastric emptying rate in awake rats subjected to 15-min swimming sessions against a load equivalent to 5% of their body weight. After 0, 10, or 20 min of exercise testing, the rats were gavage fed with 1.5 ml of a liquid test meal (0.5 mg/ml of phenol red in 5% glucose solution) and euthanized 10 min postprandially to measure fractional gastric dye recovery. In addition to inducing acidemia and increasing blood lactate levels, acute exercise increased (P < 0.05) gastric retention. Such a phenomenon presented a positive correlation (P < 0.001) between blood lactate levels and fractional gastric dye recovery. Gastric retention and other acidbase-related changes were all prevented by NaHCO3 pretreatment. Additionally, exercise enhanced (P < 0.05) the marker's progression through the small intestine. In anesthetized rats, exercise increased (P < 0.05) gastric volume, measured by a balloon catheter in a barostat system. Compared with sedentary control rats, acute exercise also inhibited (P < 0.05) the contractility of gastric fundus strips in vitro. In conclusion, acute exercise delayed the gastric emptying of a liquid test meal by interfering with the acid-base balance.

To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

AKI and hyponatremia are frequent in TE. Hyponatremia on admission is highly associated with AKI and mortality.

The essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis (EOET) has pharmacological activities but their effects on the gastrointestinal tract are yet unknown. It possesses α- and β-pinene as minor constituents, isomers largely used as food or drink additives. In this work, we studied their actions on gut motility. After feeding with a liquid test meal, conscious rats received perorally EOET, α-, or β-pinene, and the fractional dye retention was determined. EOET and its constituents decreased the gastric retention. In anesthetized rats, pinenes increased gastric tonus, while enhancing the meal progression in the small intestine of conscious rats. Both α- and β-pinene contracted gastric strips IN VITRO but relaxed the duodenum. Conversely, EOET relaxed both the gastric and duodenal strips. In conclusion, EOET accelerates the gastric emptying of liquid, and part of its action is attributed to the contrasting effects induced by α- and β-pinene on the gut.

Introduction: The esophagus is subject to frequent reflux of gastric contents as a normal phenomenon during episodes of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR), responsible too, for pathologic reflux. However, pathologic reflux is mostly associated with reflux of acid contents. Distending the stomach provokes an increase in frequency of tLESR. Objective: To investigate the effect of distending the rectum on the tLESR and possible involved pathways. Methods: Forty four (Protocol: 096/07) street dogs were selected and divided into respective protocols: Rectal distention (RD), Gastric distention (GD), RD+GD, Atropine+RD, Hexamethonium+RD, Baclofen+RD, Bilateral Pudendal nerve section+RD and Spinal cord transection+RD. We determined and compared the tLESR of each group and subjected data to statistical analysis. Values of p<0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: RD provoked a significant increase in the tLESR just as GD, with RD+GD provoking the highest value of tLESR. This increase in tLESR due to RD was prevented in A+RD, B+RD, Bilateral Pudendal nerve section+RD and Spinal cord transection+RD but not Hexamethonium+RD protocols. Conclusion: RD is a significant inducer of an increase in tLESR with participation of muscharinic and GABAβ, sensitive and spinal cord neurons, but not nicotinic receptors.