Electrical and mechanical activity of isolated canine stomach perfused with fluorocarbon emulsion

Electrical and mechanical activities were recorded from the isolated canine stomach perfused with fluorocarbon emulsion and oxygenated in vitro. This preliminary experiment was undertaken to determine whether or not these activities can be preserved during extracorporeal bloodless perfusion using a perfusate containing only an oxygen carrier, fluorocarbon and a simulated physiologic salt solution of some electrolytes. We found that electrical control activity of stomachs so perfused was identical with that found under in vivo conditions. The electrical and mechanical response of these stomachs to intra-arterially injected methacholine and pentagastrin and to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve suggested that the function of the muscular and intramural plexus layers of the gastric wall remained normal. It was also observed that the frequency of the cycles of electrical control activity and the amplitude of antral contractions were significantly increased, when pO2 of the circulating perfusate rose. Results of the biochemical studies of the perfusate suggested utilization of some of its components for the metabolic needs of the perfused organ. The gastric secretion was alkaline and contained particles of fluorocarbon emulsion.