Skin electrical activity of the stomach and intestine during long-term antiorthostatic hypokinesia

The skin electrical activity of the gastrointestinal tract in the stomach and small intestine frequency ranges was studied for four months in 13 men under the conditions of antiorthostatic hypokinesia (AOH). On an empty stomach, both the gastric and small intestine electrical activities increased to a level comparable with that of the increase detectable after eating under the conditions of normal motor activity, whereas the response to food stimulation was inhibited. The ratios between the parameters of spectral analysis testified to a higher tonic component in the stomach and a higher peristaltic component in the intestine under the conditions of AOH. The observed changes in the gastric and intestinal electrical activities were observed against a background of a hypersecretory state of the stomach and an increase in the intestinal contents. During the readaptation period, both the gastric and intestinal electrical activities increased significantly, whereas the response to food stimulation was inhibited.