Lincomycin-Induced Alterations in Intestinal Nutrient Sensing, ‎Neural Signaling, and ‎Gastrointestinal Function in Rats

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether lincomycin treatment alters mesenteric afferent ‎responses to intraduodenal nutrient stimulation, gastrointestinal myoelectric activity, and ‎intestinal morphology in rats.

Materials and Methods: Forty laboratory rats weighing 180–220 g were assigned to control and lincomycin-treated ‎groups. Lincomycin was administered orally for approximately 10 days to induce antibiotic-‎associated intestinal dysbiosis. Mesenteric and vagal afferent nerve activity was recorded using ‎bipolar silver–silver chloride electrodes. Nutrient-evoked responses were assessed following ‎intraduodenal administration of 0.3 mL of 40% glucose and selected amino acid and lipid ‎solutions. Gastrointestinal myoelectric activity was recorded from the ileum, cecum, and colon, ‎and gross intestinal morphology was evaluated macroscopically.

Results: Intraduodenal glucose produced a marked increase in mesenteric afferent activity in control ‎rats. In lincomycin-treated animals, basal afferent activity was reduced and the glucose-evoked ‎response was substantially attenuated. Lincomycin treatment was also associated with altered ‎gastrointestinal myoelectric activity, including increased colonic spike activity, together with ‎pronounced cecal enlargement and luminal distension.

Conclusion: Lincomycin treatment was associated with impaired nutrient-evoked intestinal afferent ‎signaling, altered gastrointestinal electrical activity, and marked cecal morphological changes. ‎These findings suggest that antibiotic-induced disruption of the intestinal environment may ‎affect sensory-motor regulation and nutrient-related signaling. (Open J Biomed Res 2026;5:139-146)