RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changing flows balance nutrient absorption and bacterial growth along the gut
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2022.02.16.480685
DO 10.1101/2022.02.16.480685
A1 Agnese Codutti
A1 Jonas Cremer
A1 Karen Alim
YR 2022
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/02/18/2022.02.16.480685.abstract
AB Small intestine motility and its ensuing flow of luminal content impact both nutrient absorption and bacterial growth. To explore this interdependence we introduce a biophysical description of intestinal flow and absorption. Rooted in observations of mice we identify the average flow velocity as the key control of absorption efficiency and bacterial growth, independently of the exact contraction pattern. We uncover self-regulation of contraction and flow in response to nutrients and bacterial levels to promote efficient absorption while restraining detrimental bacterial overgrowth.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.